ROD Zemanek wants the last eight kilometres of gravel on The Branch Lane sealed to give drivers another way onto the Pacific Highway.
He took that idea to MidCoast Council’s Community Conversation in Stroud on Thursday, 5 November, where road safety at the 12 Mile junction was also discussed.
Mr Zemanek said he came away pleased with how the discussion had gone with Mayor Alan Tickle, councillors and senior staff. His next move is to take the issue to State MPs.
“We now move toward the State pollies to push for safety in their electorates,” he said.
Mr Zemanek hopes the approaching NSW election will help get some money on the table. He says sealing The Branch Lane would give drivers, including truck drivers, another route to the highway via the Tarean Road overpass.
He says the council does a good job grading the gravel after rain, but potholes soon return, and there’s little room for large vehicles to pass in places.
He also pointed to the road’s use as a detour when a crash blocks the highway or The Bucketts Way.
Mr Zemanek is also calling for overpasses at 12 Mile and Medowie roads and better passing lanes on The Bucketts Way.
A spokesperson told News Of The Area that the council had written to the ministers for Roads, and for Planning and Public Spaces, about the 12 Mile junction, where The Bucketts Way meets the Pacific Highway. It’s also preparing a submission asking the State Government to act and explain how extra traffic from proposed developments will be considered.
For drivers on The Branch Lane, work scheduled includes grading and laying fresh gravel on part of the road.
The proposed hard rock quarry also came up at the meeting.
The council said the proposal was still being assessed and it had raised concerns about impacts on plants and wildlife, water and air quality, and noise.
The council expects to return to Stroud for another Community Conversation around May and encouraged residents to get in touch with staff or councillors as issues come up.
By Althea GUINSBERG
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