THE roads authority has invited Wagga motorists to “have their say” on speeding up some of the city’s roads.
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It comes as scores of city drivers vent their frustrations over “inconsistent” and “revenue-raising” arterial roads limited to 50km/h despite favourable driving conditions.
The overwhelming majority of motorists backed two Wagga driving schools calling for a change.
The driving schools, Able and U-Learn, want the speed limits on Kincaid Street, Tarcutta Street and Lake Albert Road increased to 60km/h.
“Most other country towns have (a) 60 speed limit on the main roads regardless of housing. Once you turn off the main roads into the suburbs it's 50. Simple really. I don't know why for the life of me why this isn't a reality in Wagga,” reader Cherrie Godwin wrote on the Advertiser’s Facebook page.
Motorist Matthew James said the attention of Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) should be drawn to the 12-metre width of Kincaid Street.
“Kincaid Street is wider and safer than many Sydney roads which have a 70km/h speed limit,” he said.
Another reader, Scot Martin, pointed out the frequent location of mobile speed cameras.
“And surprise, surprise where do we often see the speed camera car? Tarcutta, Kincaid and Lake Albert,” he said.
“I haven't seen it once in Bourke Street since the speed limit was raised to 60.”
Quizzed over the “frustrating” speed limits, an RMS spokeswoman said Wagga motorists should submit their concerns to the Safer Roads NSW website.
She said the authority was continually reviewing the city’s roads – but dodged a question over whether Kincaid Street was slated for a change, despite Wagga MP Daryl Maguire lodging a request to increase the speed limit to 60km/h.
“In NSW speed limits are set to ensure a balance between reliable mobility and safety,” she said.
“Reviews assess factors including pedestrian activity, the road environment, adjacent land use, traffic volumes and crash risk.”
Mr Maguire last week threw his support behind upping the speed limit on Kincaid Street because it is away from schools and housing is low due to the location of the Murrumbidgee Turf Club and sporting fields.
Last year, the RMS increased a controversial section of Bourke Street from 50km/h to 60km/h after furious calls from motorists concerned about a mobile speed camera that collected $500,000 in a five-month period.
The RMS also moved to increase and decrease six roads in the Wagga network to make it more consistent, easing driver stress.
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