Federal Election 2016: Candidates renew calls to fix Appin Rd after two crashes on weekend

Notorious Appin Rd is emerging as a key Federal Election issue with candidates from the major parties calling for urgent action to improve safety on the deadly strip after two more crashes at the weekend.

The male driver, 20, of this car was taken to hospital for treatment for minor injuries and bruising.

• Macarthur Chronicle launches a renewed campaign to fix Appin Rd once and for all
• Appin Rd crisis: politicians call for urgent safety review

NOTORIOUS Appin Rd is emerging as a key Federal Election issue with candidates from the major parties calling for urgent action to improve safety on the deadly strip after two more crashes at the weekend.

The Macarthur Chronicle has been campaigning for a decade to end the carnage on the road, which has claimed the lives of 36 people in the past 20 years.

The Chronicle campaign intensified this year with the death of John Therry High School teacher Melissa Bond in March and a 40-year-old Minto man in January.

Macarthur federal Liberal MP Russell Matheson said he had been focused on trying to deliver­ an upgrade on Appin Rd for a long time and that he had talks with state and federal ministers.

“This is something that I have been actively discussing,” he said.

“We all know it’s a dangerous road.’’

A floral tribute to teacher Melissa Bond who was killed on Appin Rd in March this year.

Macarthur Labor candidate Michael Freelander said party leader Bill Shorten agreed it was time to do something urgently to fix Appin Rd.

“More of our residents will die if we don’t do something urgently,’’ he said.

Dr Freelander said he had been in talks with all levels of government for action to improve safety on Appin Rd.

Macarthur Labor candidate Dr Michael Freelander said it was time for all levels of government to work together to fix Appin Rd.

“Police need to patrol Appin Rd 24 hours a day until we have a long-term solution­,’’ he said.

The Macarthur Chronicle has called for a taskforce comprising all levels of government to work together to fix Appin Rd “once and for all”.

In a crash on Appin Rd on Sunday, a male driver, 20, was travelling in a Hyundai Excel when it flipped once and crashed into a power pole near Church St at 8.30pm. The man suffered minor cuts and bruising.

Macarthur MP and Liberal candidate Russell Matheson, pictured in Campbelltown with Deputy Leader Julie Bishop last week, said he had been focused on trying to deliver an upgrade to Appin Rd for a long time.

The driver told police he lost control of the car.

In an earlier accident on Saturday, a female driver, 51, hit a wooden fence post on the side of Appin Rd, south of St Helens Park, about 3.25pm.

Police are investigating both incidents.