Record numbers of disgruntled motorists vote in NRMA survey to reveal NSW’s worst roads

Disgruntled drivers voted in record numbers to out the worst roads in the state. Almost 30,000 people ranked them on their condition, traffic conditions, and safety.

Traffic delays Eastbound on Parramatta Road Auburn after a truck break down near Silverwater Road Picture: Stephen Cooper

The worst roads in NSW have been named and shamed after almost 30,000 people voted to rank them on their condition, congestion and safety.

Pothole-ridden and car-clogged Parramatta Road at Auburn was rated the worst because of its condition and congestion, drawing almost 500 votes.

The NRMA’s Rate Your Roads survey was launched at the end of last year and received a record response of almost 30,000 votes from angry motorists.

NRMA spokesman Peter Khoury said the data will be used to identify problem roads and lobby the Federal Government for more funding.

“Today we release the results of this record-breaking transport survey and will spend the next four years ensuring this data helps drive sensible funding and policy outcomes across all levels of Government,” Mr Khoury said.

The Lakes Way at Forster was ranked the state’s second worst road because of its safety and condition and the Kings Highway at Bungendore came in third. Congestion on Military Road at Mosman once again brought a slew of complaints.

Mr Khoury said major investment in infrastructure had removed some of the big problems on major roads, but flooding-created pot holes had led to complaints about 10,800 different roads.

Parramatta Road at Auburn has been voted the worst road in NSW because of its condition and congestion.

“The NSW Government has already contributed $1.5 billion outside of the $1.5 billion announced in the budget. We are looking for more funding from the Federal Government, particularly to support the work of local councils in maintaining local roads,” Mr Khoury said.

The survey also identified roads that were given the thumbs up from motorists including former trouble spots Mona Vale Road at St Ives and Pennant Hills Road at Carlingford.

Parramatta Road at Auburn has been voted the worst road in NSW because of its condition and congestion. Picture: Bill Hearne

“Pennant Hills Road was consistently voted among the worst roads,” Mr Khoury said.

“North Connex has turned it from being consistently in the top three worst, to receiving the second strongest vote for safety thanks to a significant number of trucks being taken off the road.

“This community-led advocacy works. Some of the state’s worst roads no longer make the list because governments have responded by investing in solutions. This has helped save lives, boosted our economy and got our Members home to their families faster.”

The NRMA has created a giant pothole activation with a full size car submerged inside it to illustrate the problem as part of a statewide tour to known trouble spots that starts in Sydney today before heading to Shellharbour tomorrow and on to Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Tamworth, Port Macquarie and Newcastle.