Increased funding for safer NSW roads

Roads Minister Duncan Gay has announced increased funding for road improvements across NSW, under the new Safer Roads program.

“As we seek to cut the number of deaths on our state’s roads by 30 per cent by 2021, the NSW Government will replace the $29 million-a-year Road Toll Response Package with the new Safer Roads Program,” Mr Gay said.

“Funding for the Safer Roads Program will increase in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 financial years, by $7 million a year to $36 million a year.

“The Safer Roads Program is part of the NSW Road Safety Strategy unveiled last week by the Centre for Road Safety.

“Additional funding will come from the Community Road Safety Fund, which directs speed camera revenue straight back into road safety projects

The new Safer Roads Program will include:

• An additional $2 million funding for highway route safety reviews from $10m to $12m per year (including work on the Kings Highway in 2013/14 and 2014/15);

• A $3 million per year motorcycle route safety improvement program. This involves reviewing and improving a range of motorcycle recreational routes. This includes better signs and line marking for routes such as the Old Pacific Highway, Putty Road, the Oxley Highway, Bruxner Highway, Summerland Way and Thunderbolts Way; and

• A $2 million per year commitment to improving pedestrian safety. This includes projects to address pedestrian safety at crash risk locations.

The Road Safety Strategy has been developed by the NSW Centre for Road Safety and partners such as NSW Police and key stakeholders after feedback from more than 60 stakeholders and community groups.

For details on the Road Safety Strategy: http://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/new-strategy-save-lives-nsw-roads