Grand Motorway Announced But No Plan for Spit 
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Northern Beaches residents have a right to be furious at the State Government’s plans to build a $7 billion mega motorway under Sydney while the Spit corridor continues to be neglected, said Member for Manly Mike Baird. “The Iemma Government is good at announcing grandiose plans but pitiful at delivering real solutions,” said Mr Baird. “The Spit corridor is renowned as one of the most clogged roads in the state, yet it’s being ignored. The road hasn’t even been surfaced properly with close to 200 potholes further compounding problems for motorists.” In August the country’s peak infrastructure group rated the Spit-Military roads corridor as one of the most significant infrastructure priorities in Australia. “It is an insult to Northern Beaches residents that the Iemma Government would consider spending billions on a maze of tunnels under the city while not a cent has been allocated to solving chronic congestion at the Spit.” Mr Baird said he was appalled the Government had such little focus on improving public transport. “The community is crying out for more public transport but the Iemma Government seems intent on getting more cars on the road. “People are genuinely concerned about the impact of increased traffic on the environment, along with the burden of higher petrol prices, yet public transport is getting worse. “Last year alone 270 bus services were cancelled in the Manly area and the $59 million that was allocated to widening the Spit Bridge has vanished. “We have not seen a single outcome of the Spit working group that Iemma set up more than six months ago and meanwhile billions are being allocated to new tunnels in the city.” Mr Baird said he has been speaking with the private sector about the Spit corridor and is working on a solution that is centred around more use of public transport. MEDIA: Lisa Harrington - 0406 726 880 Add to:          Write Comment
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