Campbelltown MP Greg Warren has used the first parliamentary sitting day of 2016 to put the spotlight on Appin Road.
Mr Warren today called on the Baird Government to act quickly to make Appin Road safer for motorists.
He used a Private Members Statement to highlight community concerns regarding the safety of Appin Road, and called on the Baird Government to take the issue seriously and commit to taking action.
The Campbelltown MP acknowledged the 41 motorists who have already tragically lost their lives in the past 20 years, and said that urgent action was required to avoid further loss of life.
“For too many years we have seen tragic fatal accidents on Appin Road,’’ Mr Warren told parliament.
“While I acknowledge that government members have joined me in calling for urgent action to improve safety on Appin Road, there has been too much talk and not enough action.
“No-one could possibly argue that this road should not be a priority.
“The road has taken 41 lives in the past two decades, and needs urgent attention.
“I have written to the Premier about the matter and I thank him for his response.
“However, I look forward to the action that needs to follow,” the Member for Campbelltown said.
Mr Warren revealed that he had met with the member for Keira earlier in the day to discuss Appin Road.
“I welcome very much the curve realignment that is currently being completed,’’ Mr Warren said.
“It is a good starting point for improving this road, but it is just that—a starting point.
“The problems affecting motorists on Appin Road are extensive.
[social_quote duplicate=”no” align=”default”]“Solving these safety problems will require much more comprehensive upgrades than a simple curve realignment.[/social_quote]
“We need to look at safety barriers and lighting and the problem of the residue from coal wash.’’
Mr Warren urged the Baird Government to take this issue seriously.
He said the government needed to “take a good, hard look at the state of the roads in the Campbelltown region when planning the budget for 2016’’.
“The Campbelltown region is one of the fastest growing regions in NSW,’’ Mr Warren said in his speech.
