Gold Coast traffic: M1 fix demanded by Coast drivers in new survey

More than 80 per cent of Gold Coast locals want to see this major Gold Coast road upgraded, a new study has revealed.

MORE than 80 per cent of Gold Coast locals want to see upgrades to the Pacific Motorway, according to a new RACQ study.

The survey of 2000 Queenslanders released Tuesday offered a hypothetical $100 million to individuals and asked them how they would spend it.

RACQ spokesman Lucinda Ross said the 340 participants in the Gold Coast, Logan and Scenic Rim regions said they would allocate almost half of their total budget to upgrades on the State-controlled road network.

NO ALTERNATE M1 IN SIGHT AT MAJOR ROAD NEARS CAPACITY

Traffic on the M1 builds up. Pic by David Clark

COAST’S M1 IS A ‘NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT’

“Locals are in the best position to identify problems on their roads. When you put the power in their hands it becomes clear what they value most and where they want to see improvements, and they’re clearly frustrated by its current state,” Ms Ross said.

“A whopping 90 per cent of people who responded to the survey believe the main roads in their region need upgrading due to the amount of traffic using them.

“The Pacific Motorway has again been called out, with 80 per cent of people calling for the delivery of vital upgrades. The recent commitments from the State and Federal Governments are welcome, but they’re long overdue.”

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RACQ spokeswoman Lucinda Ross said Cairns fuel retailers are have been cashing in at the bowser.

Ms Ross said respondents wished to allocate around one quarter of their budgets to boosting public transport.

“Around half believed there isn’t enough public transport available to accommodate their area and services don’t run where they need to.

“A similar number also considered fast rail to the Gold Coast and the extension of the light rail from Broadbeach to Coolangatta to be important projects,” she said.

“The Gold Coast continues to boom but its road and transport networks haven’t kept up, and locals agree. Everyone pays rates and taxes so we urge all levels of government to consider what’s important to the people who contribute to them and work to bridge the funding gaps delaying the delivery of critical projects.”