Read the MVHBAG and BAG Proposal

Posted by admin on 11/02/09 • Categorized as Act now!

letter_to_D_Campbell_thumb Mount Victoria Highway Bypass Action Group has proposed the following in response to the Proposed upgrade of the Great Western Highway between Mt Victoria and Lithgow.

See excerpt from Letter to Hon David Campbell 20 Oct 09 below or download full version
Letter_to_Hon_David_Campbell_20_Oct_09.pdf (132kb)

8. Proposal

8.1 We ask the State Government to consider taking a longer term perspective to the transport needs of the NSW Central West and suggest the Bells Line of Road corridor and the existing rail network be upgraded and improved instead of allocating scarce resources to the proposed upgrade of the highway between Mt Victoria and Lithgow.

8.2 We request that the State Government implement immediate action to address the safety concerns of Victoria Pass as highlighted in the RTA October 2008 Crash Report similar to that being currently undertaken on River Lett Hill. We envisage this would include measures to reduce speed, remove some of the dangerous corners, install safety barriers and improve lighting and drainage. We note that the RTA October 2008 Crash Report did not highlight grade or the tight curves of the existing highway alignment as a significant contributor to the fatal accidents that have occurred on this stretch of road.

8.3 Therefore we ask that after taking into account funds required to make safety modifications to Victoria Pass the balance of funds allocated to the proposed upgrade of the highway between Mt Victoria and Lithgow be diverted to the upgrade of the Bells Line of Road and other rail recommendations noted in the Central West Transport Needs Study.

8.4 We also formally request that the State Government consider implementing a long term integrated rail road transport plan to address the passenger and freight transport needs of the Central West and the Blue Mountains.

8.5 We would ask that the State Government consider the underlying socio economic and environmental value of the propositions we have put and not evaluate the proposed upgrade on a purely short term budgetary basis.

To support our goals, please download a submission Form and submit to the RTA before 20 Nov 2009.