SO we're being invited to comment on yet another highway upgrade between Katoomba and Lithgow.
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Seems that upgrades and promises of good times ahead for travellers once the disruption ends is a never ending process, admittedly thanks to the forgivable lack of foresight of early road planners who could never have envisaged today's traffic demands.
But to the casual observer weaving across the Mountains today it's difficult to work out just what will be achieved by the current roadworks at Blackheath apart from shifting the traffic pinch points a few metres and demolishing Blackheath's landmark foliage in the process.
RMS no doubt has a plan but the Govetts Leap Road intersection will still be the worst obstacle to traffic flow on the Mountains.
Perhaps the priority should have been the highway between Blackheath and Medlow Bath, regarded by the police as the most hazardous section between Penrith and Lithgow. (That section is included in the latest concept plan announced last week).
Why doesn't the government provide real access for the areas west of the Mountains by getting on with the long debated and long stonewalled Bells Line Motorway? The only real solution to ever increasing demand.
It's a matter of life and death
WITH the season of the sizzle now looming and new temperature records tipped it's timely to warn against leaving children or animals in parked vehicles. And that includes dogs without shelter on the back of utes, particularly with the sickening cruelty where unlined metal trays exist. The '...just gone for a few minutes .. ' excuse doesn't wash with authorities. A few minutes is all it takes for situations to turn potentially deadly; it's also a serious criminal offence. So if you spot something then call the cops immediately. It's not dobbing on someone, it's potentially saving a life.
Want a heritage landmark?
AUCTIONS of significant commercial buildings in country towns always attract special interest and recently there have been some interesting outcomes in Lithgow properties. Case in point the battered old former TAFE college that astounded critics with a sale not far downstream of a cool million bucks. On November 28 the auction action swings back to the Lithgow Main Street when the late 19th century Exchange Hotel is up or offer. It's many years since they called last drinks at the old Exchange and for much of that time the very well preserved landmark has been tenanted by a popular restaurant and a pathology clinic. The Exchange, as many still know it, is owned by a local consortium that includes Mayor Ray Thompson.
Self preservation
THE current dreadful fire dramas around the State should act as a timely warning against venturing into our bushland on days of risky fire weather - a situation certain to continue until there's worthwhile rain. The department closes National Parks in our region on such days but all authorities away form the parks, such as Greater Lithgow, can do is to urge residents and visitors to adopt self preservation strategies. As in The Teddy Bears Picnic warning ' ... don't go down to the woods today, it's better to stay at home'.