WAGGA’S roads are in the worst state of disrepair in living memory, according to long-standing residents with decades of driving experience.
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It comes after Wagga’s state and federal parliamentarians conceded pothole-plagued roads were a danger to motorists and council does not have enough cash on hand for emergency repairs.
Lake Albert resident and transport enthusiast Peter Simpfendorfer has not seen local roads so bad since he moved to Wagga in 1983.
“There must be hundreds of potholes in Wagga roads,” Mr Simpfendorfer said.
“This rain has done more damage to the roads than the 2012 flood.”
Council was forced to spend $45 million on repairs to more than 1200km of roads after three floods in 2010 and 2012.
Mr Simpfendorfer echoed calls by councillor Greg Conkey for state and federal governments to hand over emergency funding.
“I think the record wet weather should be classed as an act of God and warrants government intervention,” Mr Simpfendorfer said.
“Some of the potholes are quite dangerous and if you don't pick them up they'll easily throw your car off line.
“If you hit some of the sharp and deep holes, at the very least you will need a wheel alignment.”
Mr Simpfendorfer praised the efforts of council repair crews, who fill potholes along major arterials within a matter of days after a rain event, although he conceded “works seem to deteriorate very quickly after they’re done”.
Fellow Lake Albert resident Dorothy Grady agreed council engineering staff were quick to respond to calls for pothole repair, but claimed the patchwork was rarely hardy enough to withstand the next downpour.
“I have lived on Laurel Road for 40 years and this is without doubt the worst the road has ever been,” Mrs Grady said.
“Residents from this street ring council on a monthly basis to complain about the road.
“They come and fill the potholes up, then the rain comes down and washes away what they’ve done.
“The stopgap measure isn't adequate.”
The Daily Advertiser polled more than 720 residents in the lead-up to the council election, in which 19.7 per cent of respondents nominated roads as Wagga’s biggest issue.