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Residents unhappy with removal of lane markings

Blue Mountains residents react angrily to removal of centre-lane markings on a winding road to assist trucking industry

By Ruza Zivkusic-Aftasi | May 6, 2013

The removal of centre-lane markings on a winding New South Wales road to allow truck travel has seen a backlash from residents.

The Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) has recently removed double centre lanes to allow safer truck travel.

The Blue Mountains City Council has been inundated with complaints from residents who are calling for truck restrictions, Deputy Mayor Mark Greenhill says.

“Because the trucks couldn’t fit into the lanes, they just got rid of them recently,” Greenhill says.

“Previously it was so small that it hardly accommodated cars. It’s just not safe for drivers or residents – and the fact that there is a highway nearby, it just seems crazy not to use it.”

Blue Mountains MP Roza Sage says the markings were removed following a safety workshop held in February last year.

She says the RMS eliminated marking on four bends and installed reflective indicators to improve visibility. It also installed safety truck signs prior to bends.

“RMS understands some members of local community in Hawkesbury Road at Winmalee and Hawkesbury Heights want to ban trucks from driving on Hawkesbury Road which would mean it would no longer perform as a state road,” Sage says.

“RMS will continue to monitor the road and work with the community on potential safety initiatives.”

Blue Mountains Overnight Transport owner David White, who has been using the road for 17 years, says the changed road conditions have led to delays and left no room to park.

“There’s no breakdown lane which means you have to actually park on the footpath,” White says.

“Sometimes you have to park five houses away and trolley the load up the road. It can be very inconvenient and unsafe.”

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