Three levels of government will meet on the Grain Valley Road this month to discuss a solution for safety concerns.
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Gunnedah shire deputy mayor Gae Swain, Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson, Parkes MP and new Assistant Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Mark Coulton will inspect the heavily used route on March 22.
The visit will follow Gunnedah Shire Council’s submission for funding under the Heavy Vehicle and Productivity Program to seal the remaining 17.4 kilometres of gravel road, which has been at the centre of safety concerns for many years.
The road is regularly used by heavy vehicles and a school bus for Mullaley Public School, which picks up and drops off children along the road.
Mr Coulton said he often used the road in his travels and pushing for its completion was a “very high priority”.
“I’m well aware of the issues on it. I know what it’s like if you end up behind a large grain truck or have one coming the other way. Particularly with people who may not be familiar with driving on gravel roads, the potential for accidents is very high.
“What everyone has said about it out there is correct; their concerns are justified.
“I’m turning over every stone I can find to make sure we get this done.”
Councillor Gae Swain will represent mayor Jamie Chaffey at the March meeting and said it was a chance to “highlight the importance” of completion.
“It’s an opportunity for three levels of government to have a look and just evaluate and push the issue of Grain Valley Way and it’s certainly an issue we’ve been working on for many years,” she said.
“[Mark Coulton] is very supportive of it and has been all the way through, as has our local state member, so the opportunity for all of us to come together to reinforce the importance of it is an opportunity we can’t miss.”
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said he was pleased there will be a “tri-government approach” to Grain Valley Way.
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