The state government has announced $230,00 in funding for a motorcycle underrun on Putty Road, but local residents say more needs to be done to upgrade the road.
Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres and Minister for Roads Melinda Pavey, alongside Member for Hawkesbury, Dominic Perrottet announced the spend on Wednesday as part of the NSW Governments record $70 million on 172 vital safety upgrades to the state’s road network.
The funding is aimed at driving down the road death toll Towards Zero.
Mr Perrottet said that the $230,000 will provide Putty Road in between Packer Road and Upper Colo Road, Colo Heights with a motorcycle underrun on the existing w-beam for the full 6km length.
“This important road safety program is funded through the Community Road Safety fund where all speed camera revenue is sent,” Mr Perrottet said.
Member of the newly formed Colo Heights Progress Association, Peter Kassis said while he applauded the government’s action on the underrun, he said it was time the government got “serious” about upgrading Putty Road.
“Firstly they need to look at reducing the speed limit between Wheelbarrow Ridge Road and Colo Heights Road from 80km/h to 60km/h past the school and the fire shed,” Mr Kassis said.
“Trucks scream through that area at 80km/h – it isn't safe.
“Secondly they need to put a turning lane into Barina Drive from Putty Road. They talk about fixing blind spots, this has to be one of the worst along Putty Road.
“Thirdly, they need an emergency services sign at the Colo River Bridge alerting motorists of bush fires or accidents that may be affecting the road ahead.
“Too often local residents are driving kilometers up the Putty, only to find there has been an accident that has closed the road and they have to turn around. What if there was a bush fire and it spread quickly? How would all the trucks and cars turn and exit out of the area quickly and efficiently?
“I think this announcement is a good thing for motorcyclists. But in reality the government needs to get serious about spending money on Putty Road, they need to make it two lanes each way so that Sydney people can get to Newcastle instead of going through Castle Hill and Pennant Hills to get to the motorway.”
The $70 million investment as part of the State Government’s Safer Roads Program will carry out road safety infrastructure upgrade projects this year throughout NSW.
“Last year 38 people lost their lives across Western Sydney,” Mr Ayres said.
“It is impossible to control all the variables that cause these accidents, but we can provide urgent funding for black spots across our communities to make our roads as safe and efficient as possible.”
Mr Perrottet said the coming year’s improvements would save hundred of lives.
“This financial years improvements to the road network are estimated to save the equivalent of 419 deaths across NSW and serious injuries over the life of the projects,” he said.
This funding is on top of the $1 billion spent improving roads across Western Sydney as part of the NSW Government’s 2017-18 Budget.