Adequate funding should be provided to maintain and repair country roads, rather than dropping speed limits, according to Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, who has urged locals to have their say on a new proposal to reduce speed limits.

Mr Bull said the Andrews Labor Government had flagged its interest in a proposal to reduce all speed limits on unsealed country roads to 70km/h and feedback can be lodged at www.haveyoursayvictoria.org.

“There are many examples of where blanket approach policies formulated in Melbourne do not work in rural and regional areas and my strong view is this is another case of that,” Mr Bull said.

“The Government should commit to properly funding the maintenance and upgrade of crumbling country roads to keep motorists safe, not reduce speed limits. However, if we are to have reductions considered, it needs to be on a case by case basis with local community feedback sought.

“A classic example locally of reducing speed limits rather than fix the road is the Buchan-Gelantipy Road. Although it is not a gravel road, the same logic applies. Here we have signage saying the speed limit is ‘temporarily’ reduced because of the condition of the road.

“That ‘temporary’ reduction is now approaching two years. Surely it is time to fix this road and others in similar situations.”

Labor scrapped the successful Country Roads and Bridges Program, which was a $160 million fund for councils to repair roads, when first coming to government and now wants a blanket reduction on all non-sealed roads.

“Rural and regional councils have consistently called for the return of this program, which was introduced by the former Liberal-Nationals Coalition, but have been ignored,” Mr Bull said.

Caption: Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, is encouraging people to have their say on a new proposal to reduce speed limits.

Tuesday, September 12, 2017