Community feedback shapes Bells Line of Road improvements

MORE than 200 pieces of community feedback have been received to help shape the Federal Government's $100M investment to improve safety on Bells Line of Road.

The Government has committed $100M to improve safety on one of the key regional routes linking Sydney and the state’s Central West, and early engagement with local councils and other stakeholders produced a shortlist of potential projects to be funded.

Potential improvements suggested during the early targeted consultation period included widening curves, intersection upgrades, heavy vehicle rest areas, shoulder widening, vehicle activated signage, fauna crossing signage and pavement marking,improved national park accesses and slope work.

Late last year Transport for NSW invited the community and regular road users to have their say on those options and to nominate their preferred upgrades, and
results of that feedback have now been made public in the Bells Line of Road Safety

Improvements Consultation Summary Report.

Among the consistent themes in the community’s feedback was the need to upgrade a number of intersections along Bells Line of Road and improve accesses, calls for curve widening and a desire to protect fauna along the route.

The community’s feedback will help inform a final shortlist of options to be presented to the Australian Government for final funding and delivery approval.

Transport for NSW will continue to engage with the community on selected improvements during investigation and implementation.

or more information and updates go to
https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/projects/current-projects/bells-line-of-road-safety-
improvements

Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman, said the Government’s commitment of $100M for safety upgrades on Bells Line of Road is a significant investment into this important route which connects Greater Sydney and the Central West.

“As one of only two roads over the Blue Mountains, Bells Line of Road is a vital link travelled every day by thousands of locals, tourists and freight operators and never has that been more apparent than right now with the closure of Victoria Pass," she said.

“We thank the community for taking the time to provide their feedback on the options put forward and look forward to work on these important safety upgrades getting under way.”

Member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle said it's important for the community to be given their chance to have a say on proposed safety upgrades for the Bells Line of Road, to ensure those people who regularly use this road were included in the conversation and could make suggestions.

“This vital feedback will now help shape the final decisions on which projects should be funded to deliver the best value for all road users,” she said.

“Bells Line of Road is a scenic drive, but it can be dangerous and unpredictable –whether that is due to collisions, fire, rain and landslides – and so what is absolutely paramount, is that this work ensures this major crossing over the Blue Mountains is made safer.”