Pacific Highway concerns overtaken by Sydney roads - 22 June 2006

The NSW Government’s request for more time to report back on an Upper House inquiry into Pacific Highway upgrades showed the highway is coming a distant second to city roads, Upper House Greens MP Ian Cohen said.

“The Government had six months to prepare its report on the Committee’s findings and it was due on Wednesday. Now they have written asking for an extension. Being tied up with the Lane Cove tunnel and other traffic chaos should not be an excuse for neglecting regional roads.” Mr Cohen said.

“The Pacific Highway has once again slipped down the list of Government priorities to languish behind the big city.

“It appears the Iemma Government can’t handle rectifying two roads at once, which makes me fear for the safety of North Coast drivers.

“I look forward to seeing the Government response to the committee’s findings, which one would hope will be sensible, given the extra time allowed to consider the issues.” Mr Cohen said.

The Government has been given an extension until 27 June to table the response.