Anthony Stante, Coolamon Scenic Drive.
The long wait for much needed centre line-marking and other safety measures to make Coolamon Scenic Drive much safer for local residents and tourists directed by new Tourist Route 28 signage finally happened last night
My first submission of safety concerns was sent to council 3.5 years ago.
Both Simon Richardson and Tamara Smith have been very supportive but council officers have been tardy acting on residents’ repeated advice on safety concerns.
RMS finally funded a formal safety audit, which recently found various ‘intolerable’ risks which must be addressed including line-marking, curve signage and guideposts.
I have received a copy of the audit through FOI enquiry to council. The independent audit found the road clearly has a high accident rate.
See also photo attached of a motorcyclist down at 5:30pm on Sunday, December 10, just south of Pipeclay Ave / Coolamon Scenic Drive intersection. Subsequent to the recent audit findings, Council has elected to stage the required urgent works with line-marking a priority
Residents awoke this morning (photo attached) and much needed new line-marking work had finally been carried out. Key locations from Mullum to St Helena Hinterland Way now has new double centreline marking. Also existing badly faded line-marking had been redone. Dangerous overtaking manoeuvres will be less frequent and driving at night or during heavy rain or both will be significantly safer.
Our local school buses will travel more safely with our kids on board – at less risk of being run off the narrow roadway.
It should not take 3.5 years for council to act on serious safety concerns. Hopefully a new GM will make council officers more accountable especially for serious safety issues.
These improvements are worthwhile. However in much of Europe roads like this have a cycle lane on either side with a broken line indicating cars can use it in the absence of a cycle. Speeds are limited lower than here so people can cycle or walk in safety and car on car accidents are much reduced and rarely result in death. Our scenic region is well placed to create a safer on road cycling environment that would be good for commuters and complement the rail trail for cycle tourists.