Gippsland › Latest news › Steph Ryan MP
Country Roads and Bridges Program axed by Andrews Labor government leaving Victorian country roads neglected
Victoria's roads network is in a 'revolting' state of disrepair, according to the people who are risking their lives driving them every day.
Reports today have slammed the ongoing neglect of Victorian roads, including a section of the Glenelg Highway at Muntham, labelled by a south-west Victorian bus driver as "revolting" and "the worst section of road I've ever seen in my life" in 2016. The road is still in a state of disrepair six years later.
The Labor government's answer to the problems is band-aid fixes like lowering speed limits and cheap patch jobs that do nothing to improve the long-term safety of Victorian drivers
Road problems worsened
Shadow Minister for Roads Steph Ryan slammed the dangerous neglect of roads under Labor, which included axing of crucial funds for councils to maintain local roads. "One of the first things Daniel Andrews did when he was elected in 2014 was axe the Country Roads and Bridges Program, removing crucial support for rural councils to maintain an extensive local roads network,"
"The problems are worse after Labor carved 25 percent out of road asset maintenance in last year's budget, a cut of $191 million. Labor's been in government 19 of the past 23 years and the life-threatening consequences of Daniel Andrews' under investment are obvious as you drive around the state's roads." Ms Ryan said.
"The Warracknabeal-Birchip Road is in such a poor condition it's crumbled to barely seven foot wide in some places, which is not only unsafe for farmers and truckies but potentially life-threatening for the car drivers and motorcyclists when they need to overtake." Ms Ryan said.
Bringing back road programs
Ms Ryan also said, "In South Gippsland the Meeniyan-Promontory Road is narrow, poorly maintained and with no overtaking lanes - it's unsafe and an embarrassment in a region that attracts droves of visitors to our state every year."
"Properly maintained roads are safe roads, but lives are more at risk while the Labor government is cutting hundreds of millions of dollars from repairs. Fixing country roads by restoring funding cuts and bringing back the Country Roads and Bridges Program is crucial for saving Victorian lives." Ms Ryan concluded.
Pictures from Steph Ryan MP website.
Source: www.gippsland.com
Published by: news@gippsland.com
Latest News
ANZAC Day events across South Gippsland and other shire council updatesGippsland students urged to enter National Water Week poster contest by 6 September 2024
Have your say and help develop Trafalgar Structure Plan through online survey by 20 May 2024
Stay vigilant and report scams to IDCare on 1800595160 as over 500,000 Aussies lose $3B in 2022
Tim Bull visits Gallipoli and honours fallen locals such as Basil Hooper, Vern Brookes, Thomas Bell, and Thomas Haylock
Community feedback needed for East Gippsland Shire Council Draft 2024/25 Budget by 29 May 2024
Fresh food tax criticised by industry as lack of clarity on payment and collection will harm families and farmers
Russell Broadbent seeks answers to 20% increase in cardiac arrests by advocating investigation to include vaccine mandates
East Gippsland Shire Council highlights telecommunications infrastructure when advocating over thirty goals for community resilience and development
Russell Broadbent addresses nationwide Covid injustices-rights breaches, lockdowns, mandates and waste of $577B on vaccine and tests