The latest round of the federal government's Black Spot Program has delivered more than $900,000 to improve safety at two crash sites in the Blue Mountains.
The funding provides $590,000 to upgrade Singles Ridge Road near Purvines Road, Yellow Rock. Flexible roadside barriers will be installed, as well as vehicle-activated signs, guideposts with reflectors, shoulder improvements and curve markers.
In addition, $330,000 will go to Leura Mall from north of Railway Parade to Craigend Street, to install a raised pedestrian crossing and street lighting at pedestrian facilities, move Stop or Give Way lines forward using kerb extensions, remove sight distance problems at Leura Mall intersection, and install pedestrian fencing on kerb and street lighting.
Liberal Senator Marise Payne said: "Keeping Australians safe is the foremost priority of our government, which is why I am pleased to have secured this funding for our community.
"We know that road safety projects like these can reduce the number of crashes causing death and injury by 30 per cent on average."
Blue Mountains mayor Cr Mark Greenhill reacted positively to the announcement, whilst noting that further improvements are needed.
"Safety is an absolute priority and we appreciate any support and assistance we can get from government for local roads," he said.
"I also hope that both federal and state levels of government look at state roads, like the highway. There are various entry points onto the Great Western Highway that also need analysis. However, we appreciate the opportunity to access these funds that help us keep local roads as safe as possible."
Federal Member for Macquarie Susan Templeman said: "Road improvements funded under the long-running federal Black Spot Program are always welcome.
"As so often is the case, the idea for this sort of funding was Labor's. Originally established by the Hawke government in 1990, the Black Spot Program has been used by successive Labor and Liberal governments to reduce risk where crashes occur on our roads."
Sarah Redshaw, Greens candidate for ward 1, said: "The Federal Government's Blackspot funding is welcome, but we can't escape the bigger issue: Australian governments are addicted to roads and fossil-fuel dependent cars. This addiction is worsening the effects of climate change and must end.
"For every dollar spent on roads in the Blue Mountains, governments should be spending at least double on ways to get people walking and cycling instead of driving, and alternatives to fossil-fuel dependent cars like good public transport."
