Tell PM how you feel about motorway

02 6277 7700. That's John Howard's phone number, and we think you should give him a call.

John Howard. Photo: AAP

By STEVE GRAY

02 6277 7700. That's John Howard's phone number, and we think you should give him a call.

Tired of being parked on the Ipswich Motorway? Frustrated by delays? Stressed out commuting to Brisbane? Worried about your loved ones using the existing motorway? Sick of hearing of accidents and gridlock?

Political and community leaders yesterday backed a call for a phone-in campaign to tell the PM that Ipswich is sick and tired of waiting for his announcement on the future of the motorway. And more than sick and tired of the motorway itself.

The decision on which of the motorway options has been chosen was taken by federal cabinet and it has sat in Mr Howard's office for months. His staff have been telling us the PM is waiting for the appropriate time to make an announcement, but no decision on its timing has been made.

Meanwhile the motorway had remained a dangerous mess. Help the PM realise the time has come for an announcement on the most important roads decision in south-east Queensland by phoning him, emailing him, or faxing him.

Member for Oxley Bernie Ripoll said the government had neglected the motorway since it came to office in 1996.

"We are constantly told by John Howard and his hapless road ministers that a solution is coming. Well, so is Christmas and still Queenslanders have no road funding under the tree.''

Mr Ripoll said people should dial the PM's number and demand he release funding for a full upgrade of the Ipswich Motorway.

State Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan concurred, saying the government was relying on its inaccessibility in Canberra. "A phone-in means they can't ignore us just because we're 1500km away," Ms Nolan said.

Ipswich mayor Paul Pisasale said he would attempt to raise the issue personally with Mr Howard.

"The state of the Ipswich Motorway is the biggest hindrance to economic growth in the western corridor (from Brisbane),'' he said.

"I can understand the frustrations of people, so they should show how frustrated they are by backing this campaign.''

State Transport Minister Paul Lucas yesterday called on the PM to announce funding for the Ipswich Motorway during a visit to Brisbane later this week.

"It is about time he stopped leaving the people of Ipswich and south-west Brisbane in the lurch,'' he said.

Originally published as Tell PM how you feel about motorway