Residents of Boorowa and Narrawa have struck back after a reduced speed limit of 80 km/h came into place last month on Rugby and Narrawa roads. This was after Transport for NSW completed a review in response to concerns from NSW Police and Hilltops Council about the 100 km/h speed zone.
Additionally, Rugby Road was identified as a route of concern by Transport and therefore a priority for review.
Transport for NSW said the speed zone review is a comprehensive process that includes site inspections, analysis of the current road environment and road condition, consideration of crash data and traffic volumes.
A Transport spokesperson, when announcing the speed limit reduction, said the review of Rugby and Narrawa roads found the existing speed zone did not meet the requirements for a 100km/h speed zone as set out in the NSW speed zoning standard.
“A crash analysis of the entire length of the review showed a crash rate significantly above that expected of a rural regional road. The section between Boorowa and Little Plains Road had a high proportion of these crashes.
“As a result, the speed limit has changed to 80 km/h on Rugby and Narrawa roads for 43 kilometres from Boorowa to approximately 100 metres east of the Lachlan River Bridge.
“The new speed limit will add about five minutes to travel times for motorists travelling the entire route.
“The speed zone review was carried out to ensure speed limits are in line with the NSW Speed Zoning Standard, applying the Safe System approach.
“The Safe System approach has been adopted by all Australian jurisdictions to support road safety outcomes in jurisdictional and national road safety action plans.
“Electronic message signs will be installed before and after the changes come into effect, and there will be community notices via local councils to advise motorists of the new speed limit.
“Speed limits are set to ensure motorists travel at a safe and appropriate speed for the surrounding road environment, and to allow time for drivers travelling at the limit to detect potential hazards and respond by braking effectively.
“We thank the community for its understanding.”
Community members have responded with a petition to Parliament asking to reverse the decision.
The petition reads, “The undersigned petitioners, being users and residents of Rugby and Narrawa Roads, bring to the attention of the House our ongoing concerns about the poor condition of these roads and the lack of upgrades and maintenance. Instead of directly addressing these concerns, Transport for NSW has introduced reduced speed limits, which limit accessibility and diminish the liveability of the area for local communities.
“We ask the Legislative Assembly to call on the Government to:
• Reverse the decision to impose an 80km/h speed zone.
• Upgrade Rugby and Narrawa Roads so they are safe and suitable for 100km/h travel.”
– Jack Murray
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