By XAVIER SMERDON
WESTERN suburbs drivers are taking a risk every time they get behind the wheel by being exposed to roads that have become dangerous and fallen into disrepair, according to politicians from the area.
Shadow Minister for Roads, Luke Donnellan joined Western MPs Natalie Hutchins and Cesar Melhem to launch the www.FixOurRoads.com.au website.
Mr Donnellan said Labor launched www.FixOurRoads.com.au because new analysis of VicRoads documents shows the Napthine Government was short-changing families and businesses across Melbourne’s West on road infrastructure.
Mr Donnellan said the VicRoads Metropolitan North West Region had capital funding dropped by $48 million, or 58.6 per cent.
Capital funding for the North West Region was $81.9 million in 2011-12 and in 2012-13 dropped to $33 million.
“Documents obtained from VicRoads under FOI reveal that funding for roads projects across Melbourne’s West has been cut dramatically,” Mr Donnellan said.
Ms Hutchins, Member for Keilor said local residents were losing out with 450 staff cut from VicRoads, causing long delays for much needed projects in the area, such as the Melton Highway rail crossing in Sydenham.
“We are seeing no action on major arterials, intersections and rail crossings that need safety upgrades,” Ms Hutchins said.
Ms Hutchins said the Melton Highway boom gates were down for 52 minutes every two hours during peak times, delaying journeys by 20 minutes, with heavy traffic increasing risks for local children.
Mr Melhem said he was concerned by the lack of movement on road upgrades in Melbourne’s West, including another grade separation at Main Road in St Albans.
“A single grade separation costs upwards of $150 million but the Napthine Government has only provided $52.3 million to be stretched across nine projects. The fact is, this money does nothing to remove the Main Road rail crossing,” Mr Melhem said.
Mr Donnellan said the Opposition’s campaign would allow motorists across Melbourne’s Western Suburbs to tell Labor which roads had been neglected and forgotten by the Napthine Government.
Roads Minister Terry Mulder said: “Labor’s claims are laughable given that their last budget contained next to no new funding for roads in the western suburbs.
“In contrast, the Coalition Government is getting on with the job of improving roads in the western suburbs.
“Works are well underway to remove two dangerous level crossings at Anderson Rd in Sunshine as part of the $4.8 billion Regional Rail Link. Planning is underway to remove the St Alban’s level crossing and pre-construction work on will start by the end of 2014.
“In addition, $72 million has been allocated for a freeway interchange and arterial road upgrades in East Werribee and $12.5 million to improve the West Gate Freeway from Williamstown Road to the M80 Ring Road.”
