A proposal to lower speed limits on regional back roads, rather than fix them lets the Andrews Labor Government off the hook for its underinvestment in country roads.

Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said more funding is needed to maintain country roads and a speed limit reduction because of poor road surfaces, was a cop out.

“There have been rumors for some time that roads like Bengworden Road will be reduced to 80 km/h as a deterrent for the increasing number of drivers using the road to avoid the barriers on the Princes Highway between Bairnsdale and Stratford.

“Already signs have been erected saying ‘local traffic only’ on the Bengworden Road.

“This is the government saying we’ve put in these barriers so you can’t get off the road if you have a breakdown and we know you don’t like them, but we don’t want you using the alternate road (as many are doing),” said Mr Bull.

“This proposal by the RACV that would see many roads have speed limits reduced to 80kph is not something country people are seeking. There are certainly roads where you can only do 80 km/h, but it cannot be a blanket approach.

“The Andrews Government has already said it wants to lower country speed limits. It’s concerning that the RACV have now adopted this lazy solution.

“Country drivers pay their RACV membership expecting the group will lobby the government on their behalf, but the organisation is not sticking up for country members if it is advocating for speed limit reductions whereas it should be lobbying for greater investment.

“We have a budget coming up later this month and investment in country roads should be the focus, rather than looking at speed limits.

“It’s not good enough we have signs up for weeks and months telling people to slow down due to their being a traffic hazard (broken surface) ahead. Fix the road rather than slow drivers down,” said Mr Bull.

Monday, 17 May 2021