Lawson Road, Badgerys Creek: Residents fed up with inaction on ‘dangerous’ potholes

Forced to swerve around crateresque potholes on a road they describe as better suited to a horse and cart than cars, western Sydney residents are furious at being “disregarded us like we’re nothing”.

Furious residents near the new Western Sydney Aerotropolis claim a “disgraceful” road is better suited to a horse and cart than cars, accusing authorities of passing the buck and forcing them to spend months swerving around crateresque potholes.

Long-term locals of Badgerys Creek are now going public with their demands for action, saying they’ve been “forgotten about” and “disregarded like we’re nothing” as Lawson Rd continues to deteriorate.

They say Lawson Rd has been left in a “dangerous” state after heavy trucks were forced to detour down it while work was being done to upgrade an intersection on nearby Martin Rd between mid-September and late December.

While the closure is now over, angry residents say they have been left with a broken road, endless frustration and no answers about who will fix it.

Resident Diana Vukovic, who has been spearheading locals’ battle to get something done, has contacted Liverpool Council, Transport for NSW and Sydney Water during what she described as a long battle for accountability.

Residents are fed up with potholes left behind by the trucks. Picture: Supplied

The biggest pothole left behind on Lawson Rd. Picture: Supplied

“Our road has been deteriorating for months,” Mrs Vukovic said.

“I’ve been constantly emailing and lobbying all government agencies (for) no response.

Diana Vukovic has been lobbying for the road to be fixed for months. Picture: Tileah Dobson

“Everyone is blaming each other, (saying) ‘we’re not responsible’.

“Liverpool Council haven’t responded to our concerns.”

Evelyn Gauci, who has lived in the area for 32 years, said locals had been “forgotten about” and the road was best suited to a “horse and cart” in its current state.

“The road is disgraceful,” Mrs Gauci said.

“Something needs to be done about this. It’s dangerous. We’re just swerving all over the road. There were a lot of heavy trucks and that’s what’s caused this.

More potholes on Lawson Rd. Picture: Supplied

Some of the damage to Lawson Rd. Picture: Supplied

“We’ve complained to Liverpool Council and they’ve disregarded us like we’re nothing.

“You feel like a nobody and they don’t care. It’s really bad and we wouldn’t complain for nothing. It needs to be fixed.”

Teresa Albanese, who has lived on the road for 49 years, told this masthead it was in the worst state she had ever seen.

“It’s been wrecked before, but now it’s very bad,” she said.

Teresa Albanese has lived on the road for over 40 years. Picture: Tileah Dobson

A Liverpool Council spokesman said it was “taking action to get the road repaired” and was “sympathetic to the concerns of local residents”.

However, he laid the blame at the feet of an unnamed Transport for NSW contractor, saying it was a condition of the detour being approved that Lawson Rd was “kept in good order”.

“This clearly has not happened,” the spokesman said.

“Given the current condition of Lawson Rd and the safety concerns raised by local residents, the council has therefore asked (Transport for NSW) to make its contractor undertake immediate rectification works to restore the pavement to its original condition.

“This is critical to ensure that safe access is maintained for local residents and that the heavy vehicle access route remains secure and functional.”

A different company forced to use heavy trucks on Lawson Rd during the detour period, Australian Native Landscapes, had not provided a response to a request for comment prior to publication.

A Transport for NSW spokesperson said councils were responsible for the management of local roads, including maintenance.

“Transport for NSW and Liverpool City Council meet regularly to discuss ongoing community feedback around the condition of a number of roads in the area, including Lawson Rd,” they said.

A spokesperson for Sydney Water, which has been operating tankers to remove wastewater in the area until the new pumping station for the Western Sydney Aerotropolis is complete, denied playing a part in damaging the road.

“The deterioration of the road surface occurred before the work Sydney Water carried out,” the spokesperson said.

“As part of our commitment to the community, we have notified the local council of the condition of the road, as road maintenance is their responsibility.”