‘Dangerous repairs’ on country roads among complaints about VicRoads

The Victorian government has released submissions sent in over the past few months as it conducts an inquiry into VicRoads’ management of country roads.

Motorcyclist Cameron Reid wrote a letter detailing what happened when he encountered “overtly dangerous repairs” on Great Alpine Road between Hotham Heights and Harrietville, causing his front and rear tyres to lose traction together.

“It is a downhill section with tight corners, some of which have ribbons of a tar or rubber-like repair snaking all over the place,” he said.

“It would honestly be better if these 'repairs' were never applied.

“Riding over cracks in the tar is probably better than losing the front tyre over random height bumps of a slippery material.” 

The inquiry asked if VicRoads should be dismantled and split into separate country and metropolitan roads organisations.

Both Towong and Indigo councils rejected this idea, saying the money would be better spent on more investment in regional roads.

Towong Council’s submission also said regulations around contractors should be changed, introducing different levels of accreditation depending on the works.

“This will enable smaller contractors in rural areas to be able to undertake work for VicRoads in a more responsive way, instead of requiring the same level of accreditation needed to work on large metropolitan roads,” the submission stated.

“Appropriate resourcing and retention of staff in regional offices could be improved to maintain communication and connectivity with each regional area.”

Tom Maher also told the inquiry a complete new road network was needed to replace the Hume Freeway.

He said wire rope barriers were a hazard and kangaroos were getting stuck in the wires, before their carcasses were being cleaned up by crows rather than VicRoads.

The Law Reform, Road and Community Safety Committee is due to hand down its report from the inquiry by June 30.