Having raised concerns over the number of collisions with the centre of the road barrier between Bairnsdale and Stratford, Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, has been advised there will be ‘works to enhance delineation’ at 39 sites.

“If Regional Roads Victoria has to make changes at 39 sites, it is yet another concession this work was not done properly in the first place,” Mr Bull said.

“At my invitation the new Minister came and drove the road, and while I was interstate at the time, I appreciated his willingness to do this and liaise on this issue.

“What I wanted him to see was the narrow shoulder that does not allow room for broken down vehicles to pull over and be sufficiently off the road.

“As locals know, a large truck cannot get off the carriageway and in relation to a car, you cannot change a tyre on the right-hand side without having your backside or legs in the traffic lane.

“I am pleased the Minister looked at this and his correspondence to me stated ‘having seen this stretch of road first hand, I can appreciate these concerns’.

“However, what he did not outline was what was going to be done to address the matter and this is something I have followed up on, with further correspondence.

“If we both agree it is not suitable, as road safety experts have highlighted – then we need to know what is being done to address it,” he said.

Caption: A truck pulled over in the emergency lane on the Princes Highway between Bairnsdale and Stratford, demonstrating large vehicles cannot pull over and be off the road safely (photo supplied).

Monday, 26 July 2021