FEDERAL Member for New England Barnaby Joyce has welcomed three grants totalling $408,000 for the Tamworth Regional Council and the Uralla Shire Council as part of the Australian Government delivering on its plan to build safer roads.
The Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs and Mr Joyce announced the funding today to fix three dangerous black spots in in the two local government areas.
The bulk of the funding will go to the Uralla Shire with $330,000 to be used to improve and seal a section of the Barraba Road 14km west of Bundarra.
In Tamworth a grant of $46,500 will be used by the council to install a central median island on Gipps St between both legs of Belmore St. Another grant of $31,500 will be used by the council to install a central median island on Gipps St between both legs of Denison St.
The projects were recommended by a panel of independent road safety experts and will be delivered during the course of the coming financial year (2014-15).
Mr Joyce said this investment in Black Spot projects will deliver safer roads for New England through targeted upgrades proven to deliver results.
“Black Spot projects target dangerous roads to save lives and reduce road trauma, ensuring our local roads are safer for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians,” he said.
“Anyone can suggest an intersection or stretch of road they believe should be considered for a safety upgrade, and we strongly encourage all councils and individuals to submit their nominations,” Mr Joyce said.
He said the investment was part of the government’s aim to create a stronger economy through its record $500 million investment in the national Black Spot Programme.
Further information and nomination forms can be downloaded from: http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/blackspots/index.aspx
A recent evaluation of the programme found that fatal and casualty crashes are reduced at treated sites by 30 per cent, equalling one life per year for every 84 projects.
This programme delivers genuine results by saving lives and returning around $7.70 for every $1 invested by reducing the number and cost of road crashes.