Wallaby bridges won’t be part of Mona Vale East Road upgrade, say RMS, despite campaign

WILDLIFE campaigners claim roads bosses have ­ignored their pleas to ­install animal bridges as part of a road upgrade.

WILDLIFE  campaigners claim roads bosses have ­ignored their pleas to ­install animal bridges as part of a road upgrade.

Roads and Maritime Services has revealed the latest plans for the widening of Mona Vale Road East.

Canadian scientist Dr Colleen Cassady St. Clair, a Professor of Biological Sciences in Alberta, Canada, met with Sydney Wildlife about the road bridges - which RMS has said won’t happen. Picture: Troy Snook

While a rope bridge for ­animals such as possums is included and pipes upgraded, mooted overpasses for wallabies are not planned.

This is despite petitions to MP Rob Stokes and more than a third of the public feedback asking for more to be done for animals. Jacqui Marlow from Sydney Wildlife said it’s not enough – and has just attended her 182nd wallaby rescue on the stretch – all of which died.

“We were given the ­impression they would do their best,” she said.

Mona Vale Road has one underpass for wallabies and RMS said this would be ­expanded and fenced.

A spokesman, said: “An upgrade of an existing drain to help animals cross at Narrabeen Creek near the end of Lane Cove Road is planned as well as a rope bridge to link Kantandra Bushland Sanctuary with Ingleside Chase Reserve.”