The group’s spokesperson Michael Paag said none of the routes will solve the transport needs of the Central West, “but will forever damage the communities of the Blue Mountains”.

“It’s time the Australian and NSW Governments act on the Central West Transport Needs Study and implement a long term rail and road integrated transport plan between Sydney and the Central West instead of wasting hundreds of millions of taxpayers’ dollars on a road that will need to be replaced within 10 years of its completion.

“They intend to turn the highway with its nearly 40 speed zones, 10 school zones, 21 sets of traffic lights and many villages into a road freight corridor.”

Members of BAG joined local residents in attending an information meeting about the highway, hosted by the RTA at Mt Victoria Public School on October 31.

Mr Paag and Mt Victoria Highway Bypass Action Group spokesperson Max Blanco met with Member for Blue Mountains Phil Koperberg and Minister for Transport David Campbell at NSW Parliament House before the information meeting to discuss the proposed options.

“We want to thank Mr Koperberg for organising the meeting,” Mr Blanco said.

“We made it clear to the minister that it’s time the Australian and NSW governments took a long term approach to transport needs.”

Mr Paag said the minister told them it is up to the community to make its views known through the RTA’s consultation process.

“The deadline for submissions to the RTA is Friday, November 20 so it is the public’s last chance to have their say about this.”

The RTA will hold information meetings as follows: Wednesday, November 4, noon to 2pm, Hartley school building, Hartley; 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Hartley school building, Hartley.

The spokesperson said there will also be an opportunity for the community to nominate themselves to take part in a value management workshop on November 25 and 26.

“Another meeting will be held at Hartley school building on November 30 at 6.30pm to 8pm to report back on the value management workshop. When a preferred route option is selected, a recommendation will be made to the NSW Minister for Transport and that preferred route will then be displayed for further comment and refinement.

“The NSW Government has no plans to allow B-Double trucks more than 19 metres long to use the Great Western Highway across the Blue Mountains.”

To speak to a member of the project team call 1800 035-733 toll free.