Ballina Greens MP Tamara Smith. Photo Tree Faerie.
Ballina MP Tamara Smith (Greens) has expressed her deep sympathy for the family of the motorcyclist killed at the Alstonville intersection with the Bruxner Highway.
The 39-year-old man died when his motorbike collided with a van at the intersection.
Ms Smith has also called a meeting to discuss what can be done to rectify the notorious blackspot.
Despite changes to the intersection, it has seen two fatal accidents in the past three years.
‘My heart goes out to the partner and family of the motorcyclist at this distressing time,’ she said.
‘I have called for an urgent meeting of representatives from Ballina Shire Council, RMS and the police to discuss what needs to be done to prevent another fatal accident, because clearly the recent merge lane extension has not improved the safety of the whole intersection.’
Ms Smith, who lives in Alstonville, told ABC radio this morning that she feared using the intersection herself, particularly at sunset.
‘I live in Alstonville and I’m always incredibly cautious when I cross there, just because you can’t see. There’s something really fundamentally wrong,’ she said.
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There’s a limit to how many upgrades and face lifts this intersection can take. Frequent accidents, on the whole stretch not just at the intersection, are mostly due to poor driving or motorbike riding skills.
Upgrades wouldn’t be needed if it had been done correctly to start with.
Couldn’t agree more James! Why did RTA aledgedly cut corners yet again despite the foreseeability of so many accidents and deaths. By the way Jon, Jeremy was an experienced rider, the semi behind him also had trouble stopping but fortunately did. He also had footage of the crash. Jeremy had no chance!
No doubt the poor lady driving the van will live with the horror of this disastrous avoidable accident ( had RTA built the road as I understand they were advised) for many years to come as will the family and friends of Jeremy’s.
Thanks also to NSW police Ballina and Tamara Smith for also speaking out about this disastrous interesection
Let this not happen again!
I used to drive from Ballina to Alstonville for one of my community jobs. From the first trip turning right to Alstonville I though OMG I cannot see cars coming from Lismore direction you just have to wing it go like mad. I thought then this is a tragedy waiting to happen. Fix it and fix it now before another life is taken.