A fatal crash at the weekend has prompted a call to action on the state of Pine Gully Road – a road deemed so unsafe by university students they refuse to use it.
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The crash, which claimed the life of 18-year-old Peter Murray, has triggered an online petition demanding Wagga City Council (WWCC) upgrade the road.
The petition – launched on change.org – has attracted more than 800 signatures in its first 24 hours and continues to grow.
It cites poor lighting, a high speed limit and the fact the road is frequented by inexperienced drivers among the reasons why an “urgent” upgrade is needed.
“It’s not the first time somebody has passed away on that road,” said Brian, a university student and the man who launched the petition.
"There are a number of people that just don’t use the road and choose to go around it. It’s quite shocking.”
According to Roads and Maritime Services crash statistics, there have been five crashes resulting in injuries on Pine Gully Road since 2009. The crashes occurred in both 100km/h and 70km/h zones.
Magpie’s Nest, the restaurant at the corner of Old Narrandera and Pine Gully roads, has been calling for upgrades for many years.
Owner Chris Whyte said the housing development Estella Rise had “caught everybody by surprise” and the road could no longer cope with substantially increased traffic movements.
“In a way, forget that the university is there – it has become so incredibly busy just with Estella Rise,” he said.
“I don’t think anybody expected just how busy it’s become.”
Mr Whyte said the road should be rezoned as a residential street, which means a reduction in speed limits and the installation of lighting.
In response to Advertiser inquires, WWCC general manager Phil Pinyon issued a statement late Monday afternoon: “WWCC regrets any loss of life or serious injury that occurs on our local roads and extends its sympathy to the families of those involved in the accident,” the statement said.
“Council considers the safety of all motorists as paramount.”
Mr Pinyon confirmed the road was currently classified as a rural road and was thereby “assessed and maintained” to a rural road standard.
Police are investigating the cause of the crash and will prepare a report for the coroner.
