Reducing road maintenance backlog necessary

Posted on January 9, 2012

Instead of removing on-street parking, improving the condition of roads and reducing the road maintenance backlog should be a priority for the Weatherill Labor Government.

Leader of the Opposition Isobel Redmond said Labor should focus on reducing the State’s $400 million road maintenance backlog instead of removing on-street parking from Adelaide’s CBD to reduce traffic congestion.

“Labor has failed to maintain our roads adequately for a number of years, not only in Adelaide, but all over South Australia,” Ms Redmond said.

“Poor roads contribute to traffic congestion because drivers are forced to slow down and drive to the condition of the road.

“If the Weatherill Labor Government was serious about easing traffic congestion problems, they would be focussing on reducing this backlog and fixing notorious congestion areas, such as the Britannia roundabout.

“At the 2010 State Election, the Liberal Party put forward a $12 million solution to improving the Britannia roundabout.

“However Labor has neglected the Britannia roundabout for many years and continues to put it in the ‘too-hard basket’.

“After almost a decade of economic mismanagement and reckless spending, it is not surprising that the Weatherill Labor Government is struggling to pay off South Australia’s ever-increasing road maintenance backlog.

“Labor’s current priorities also continue to be perplexing – focussing on car parking in the city at a time when South Australian families are struggling under increasing cost of living pressures, including soaring electricity and water prices.”