Shadow Minister for Rural Roads Roma Britnell has encouraged those concerned about the planned instillation of wire rope barriers on the Princes Highway to attend a community information session on January 24 and have their say.
Ms Britnell said the planned instillation of a barrier down the center and on the sides of the highway between Allansford and Panmure had created a huge amount of community unrest and she has taken the matter up with Roads Minister Jaala Pulford several times.
But she also encouraged those with concerns to attend a TAC information session which has been advertised in local media.
“There are people who are rightly concerned about this plan and are confused about why this is the option that has been taken,” Ms Britnell said.
“I have raised it with the Minister on behalf of many constituents who have contacted my office about it and asked her to provide information about why these barriers have been deemed the best option for this particular section of highway.
“But this information session provides an opportunity for people to add to the feedback and have their say and I would encourage everyone who has concerns to attend and make those concerns known.
“The more voices the better.”
Ms Britnell said wire rope barriers do have a place in road safety, but they needed to be installed where the could be most effective and should not be the first and only option.
“We need to be addressing the condition of the road surface first, large sections of the Princes Highway where these barriers will be installed is rutted and cracked – fixing that should be the priority,” she said.
The information session will be held on January 24 at the Summer Markets at Lake Pertobe in Warrnambool from 4.30pm.
