The Blue Mountains Cycling Safety Forum has backed government plans to upgrade the Great Western Highway between Katoomba and Lithgow, on the proviso the road shoulders at Faulconbridge are widened first.
The forum has been campaigning for three years for a road shoulder of 2-3 metres each side of the carriageway between Bellevue Rd and Weemala Ave at Faulconbridge, for the safety of motorists who break down, and for cyclists who ride through the area.
The forum's spokesman, David Tritton, said members recognised the importance of the Katoomba to Lithgow upgrade for the economic development of the Central West.
The Central West is the state's third largest regional centre and accounts for 12 per cent of the state's gross regional product. By 2036, the population is expected to have grown to 300,000 and freight from the Central West is expected to increase by 14 per cent, according to Transport for NSW.
Mr Tritton said allowing 26 and 30-metre B-double trucks on the highway which have a larger carrying capacity, should mean fewer trucks on the highway.
"Theoretically longer trucks will mean less trucks," he said.
"It would be better if more freight were carried by rail. The main issue is not the trucks. We assume they're being driven by safe drivers," he said.
"What we need to change is the road infrastructure to make it safer.
"Faulconbridge has to be fixed before you can put 26 and 30 metre B-doubles on the road. The question is when will that happen. They need to prioritise that before they get started. It should happen as quickly as possible."
The forum also wanted consideration given to an additional rail line specifically for freight.
"Just because we need a duplicated road, should not exclude a future rail track," Mr Tritton said.
A shared path for less confident riders, as exists by the highway between Hazelbrook and Lawson, would also be a good idea in Blackheath, Mr Tritton said.
In November, the RMS released its options for duplicating the highway between Katoomba and Lithgow. They included a huge "strategic corridor" across Blackheath with options for a wide bypass over Centennial Glen, a bypass along Station Street, widening the highway through the centre of town or a tunnel/tunnels.
Blackheathens were up in arms about the proposal, hundreds making submissions opposing the plan.
The Blue Mountains Cycling Safety Forum also made a submission about the highway plans.
Transport for NSW is currently considering submissions from the community, which closed in December. They will be refining options and consulting again with the community in the middle of the year.
