Dangerous highway called ‘a disgrace’

ALAN Peach has spent the past nine years in Stanthorpe, travels the New England Highway daily and has never seen the highway in such a bad state before.

BUMPY ROAD: Parts of the New England Highway between Warwick and the New South Wales border do not meet the safety standards of a developed country. Photo Ella Archibald-Binge / Stanthorpe Border Post. Picture: Ella Archibald-Binge

ALAN Peach has spent the past nine years in Stanthorpe, travels the New England Highway daily and has never seen the highway in such a bad state before.

"This highway has become a disgrace due to the numerous potholes," Mr Peach said.

"There is only going to be more fatalities unless something is done about it."

Mr Peach said the amount of traffic on the road was "astronomical" compared to when the highway was first built.

Elders Insurance agent Warren Webster travels the road between Stanthorpe and Warwick weekly and, like Alan, he too agrees the national highway is not in good shape.

Mr Webster said while the surface was not great, the biggest issue was how narrow the road was.

"There is not room for error," he said.

"The road has not changed that much over the last 20 years and yet the traffic has increased, including the trucks.

"For a national highway it is a disgrace."

Both Mr Webster and Mr Peach said, as they were aware of the dangers of travelling along the road, they were extra cautious.

Mr Webster said he made sure his son was well aware of the problems as well.

"When my son was learning to drive... I warned him that it is a narrow road, bumpy and the wind at certain points can push the vehicle," Mr Webster said.

"After the drive, he could see what I meant."

Glen Aplin resident Kevin Biggs said he also used the New England Highway on a regular basis.

And he is not impressed.

"The condition of this highway, starting from the Toowoomba side of Warwick through to Stanthorpe, I rate as a dangerous, poorly maintained road," Mr Biggs said.

"Where repairs have completed, road markings in the centre and sides don't exist, which creates a dangerous condition, particularly at night and when the roads are wet."

Mr Biggs said better signage could go a long way to improving the road.

When leaving Stanthorpe heading south, if you are wanting to turn right to head to Warwick at the entry onto the New England Highway, you are not able to do so," he said.

"This creates a bad situation of doing a U-turn at Whisky Gully Road intersection.

"Maybe a sign located at the roundabout prior to going over the bridge in town, saying no right turn at New England entry and giving an alternative route, would help."

Originally published as Dangerous highway called ‘a disgrace’