Tuesday 23 May 2017
Hansard of the Legislative Council

West Tamar Highway - Possible Upgrade at Exeter

Mr FINCH (Rosevears) to ACTING LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

[2.35 p.m.]

Given the recent truck accident on the northern outskirts of Exeter on the West Tamar Highway, does the Government have any plans to improve what is a very dangerous corner?

ANSWER

Mr President, I thank the member for Rosevears for his question.  The site of the two crashes on the West Tamar Highway is on a curve just outside the 80-kilometre-an-hour buffer zone.  This section of highway also has curve-warning and 65-kilometres-an-hour advisory speed signs.

Before the accidents on Thursday, 18 May 2017, there had been two minor crashes in the past five years.  There are no immediate plans to undertake major upgrades of the highway at this site.  The Transport Commission may consider representation from local government entities to extend the 80-kilometre-per-hour speed limit north towards Everest Place to improve safety by lowering travelling speeds and also to accommodate the higher density of property accesses to the north of the curve.

Mr FINCH (Rosevears) to ACTING LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

[2.36 p.m.]

Probably the easy way out is to take the speed down.  As I suggested in the question, it is a dangerous corner.  It is almost a blackspot, although it does not register with deaths.  Would the Government consider straightening the road at that point?  I realise that becomes costly, but would the Government consider straightening that road, taking the dangerous corner out of it and making it safer?

ANSWER

Mr President, I will take that question on notice.  To reiterate:  there have only been two minor crashes in the past five years, but I will take your question on notice.