Princes Highway Action Alliance pushing for $300 million commitment to fix major road

None of the major parties or candidates have made a specific commitment to the funding, despite it being consistently acknowledged as the number one priority for the south-west.

A survey conducted by The Standard earlier in the year found 96 per cent said roads were ‘important’ or ‘very important’ issues ahead of the election.

More than 92 per cent of survey respondents said the roads in the south-west were unsafe. 

The alliance is made up of councils from across the region and spokesman Scott Cavanagh said despite Saturday’s election, the issue and the growing calls for action, would not go away.

“Surely somebody, everybody, can see the need for action is now,” he said.

“But given the fact that most of the south-west sits in safe political seats, clearly we’re just not enough of a political priority.

“Both the alliance and the Great South Coast Group of councils have been consistent with their messages that the highway needs $300 million in urgent funding to improve safety and secure the regions freight network.  

“We have also stated that a strategy is urgently required which considers treatments and improvements including additional passing lanes, two plus one treatments, duplication, and intersection upgrades.

“It is now more important than ever - with everyone acknowledging the problem - that we finally get a commitment, so that the communities of the Great South Coast get the road upgrades they deserve.”

Some of the region’s biggest companies and industries are also supporting the alliance in a series of videos posted on its Facebook page, talking about the impact the poor state of the roads has on their businesses.

“I think it’s time our politicians and elected members realised that this call for improvements to the Princes Highway West is not going to go away,” Mr Cavanagh said. 

“The state election may be over on Saturday, but there’s a federal election coming up in 2019 and this is an issue we will continue to fight for because our communities deserve a better deal.”