Friday 14 June 2019
Money that should be used to fix potholes in country roads crumbling road shoulders and cut roadside grass is being diverted to repair damaged wire rope barriers it has been revealed.
Leader of The Nationals and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh said that his constituents living in the Murray Plains electorate will be alarmed that the meagre resources available to fix their roads are being further diluted.
Under questioning at the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee (PAEC) this week VicRoads CEO Robyn Seymour revealed that repairs to wire rope barriers that have sustained damage are being funded from VicRoads routine maintenance funds as well as the TAC.
“Previously we’ve been advised that repair of barriers was fully funded by the TAC which we all pay for through third party insurance on our car registrations.
“To hear that the VicRoads maintenance fund is also being plundered to repair barriers is a concern particularly after the roll-out was botched by the Labor Government.
“Roadside barriers can be life-savers when placed in the right spot but there have been major mistakes in their placement and location with many placed too close to the road and hampering access for emergency services.
“As the rollout of wire rope barriers continues it can be expected that maintenance costs will also rise further diluting money for actual road works.
“How many potholes will go unfixed how many roadsides will have dangerously long grass because money is being spent on fixing wire rope barriers?” Mr Walsh said.
