Appin Rd crisis: politicians call for urgent safety review of region’s death-trap road

DESPITE more than 40 deaths on Appin Rd, the treacherous link between Campbelltown and Wollongong remains unchanged from its original 1800s route.

Fatal crash between a car and a coal truck on Appin Rd at Appin. Crash is located near Illawarra Rd and George St. Appin Rd is closed in both directions.

DESPITE more than 40 deaths and two decades of campaigning for upgrades to Appin Rd, the treacherous link between Campbelltown and Wollongong remains largely unchanged from its original 1800s route.

With yet another family mourning the loss of a loved one after a 40-year-old Minto man was killed in a crash at 4.30am today, politicians and civic leaders are calling for an urgent review of the road.

The man died when his car was involved in a collision with a coal truck near Kings Fall Bridge, 200m south of George St at Appin.

Countless memorials and tributes to other crash victims line the road.

Wollondilly state Liberal MP Jai Rowell said he immediately contacted Roads and Infrastructure Minister Duncan Gay after he was informed of this morning’s fatality.

“We need to see what other measures are needed to improve this road,” Mr Rowell said.

“The road has a significant crash history.’’

Mr Rowell said the government had spent $5 million on work during this term.

“Nothing had been done on the road when I was on Campbelltown Council,” Mr Rowell, a former Campbelltown councillor, said.

“We’ve put a lot of money into Appin Rd in our first term.

“More works will begin this week on a $6.3 million curve realignment near the crash site.’’

Mr Rowell called for a bipartisan approach to improving the Macarthur region’s black spot road.

“It’s not a Liberal issue, a Labor issue or a Greens issue; it’s a regional issue it affects everyone,” he said.

“These are technical roads issues and clearly Appin Rd is showing a history that is unacceptable.

“Some upgrades have been really effective and others haven’t, but that’s why we have safety experts.

A roadside tribute on the Campbelltown stretch of Appin Rd.

“Some sections of the road have been identified as road failures in terms of road design and that’s why something needs to be done.”

The Macarthur Chronicle supports a dual carriageway along the entire length of the road and has been campaigning for improvements for years. Thousands of people commute between Campbelltown and Wollongong on the road every day.

Campbelltown state Labor MP Greg Warren said there had been too much talk and not enough action on improving the road.

“There needs to be an urgent redirection of funds to Appin Rd,” he said.

“There was the western Sydney announcement for roads last week and Mike Baird need to make the decision that this road needed to be prioritised.

“No one could argue against Appin Rd being made a priority.

“It’s clear the road has issues and needs urgent attention.”

Campbelltown Independent Councillor Fred Borg, has spoken out for years in favour of upgrading the road.

“I don’t know how many more people have to die before they consider doing something purposeful,” he said.

“Somehow we need to get pressure on the government to do something to stop the deaths on Appin Rd, someone has to crusade for it.”

Wollondilly Mayor Simon Landow passed his condolences on to the family of the man killed in the crash.

“It’s a very tragic accident,” he said.

“People need to be diligent, I’d like to remind drivers to drive to the conditions and to think of their family.

“At council we have been advocating to get the road upgraded for a long time.

“Hopefully we can work closely with the State Member to see what can be done to prevent further deaths from occurring.”

The Police Crash Investigation Unit is continuing its investigations. Police have asked motorists to avoid the area and use Picton Rd as an alternative route.