THE RMS and its boss, Roads Minister Paul Toole, continue to face an uphill battle in seeking to win the hearts and minds in the controversial proposal for a four lane highway upgrade between Katoomba and Lithgow.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It really has predictably become a minefield of suspicion, confusion and largely unworkable options.
And given the NSW government and its road planners track record of less than sympathetic regard for community concern, or even heritage values, it's hardly surprising that anger is growing among our neighbours who see a horror scenario looming.
Central to the confrontation are the delightful villages of Blackheath and Medlow Bath where the ambience enjoyed by tourists and locals alike may well disappear beneath swathes of bitumen and the mind numbing impact of more and more trucks.
Put simply it's difficult to see any sort of solution other than tunnels beneath the villages given the strip development over the decades and the insurmountable geological formations along a ridge that straddles two massive valleys.
Option one, though, would involve the loss of street frontage commercial and private properties at both Blackheath and Medlow Bath.
The Blue Mountains Gazette last week reported that 80 percent of survey respondents were opposed to the roadworks.
The RMS study estimates that the work would reduce travel time between Lithgow and Katoomba by 7.5 minutes, hardly a life altering saving. Really? Save 7.5 minutes. How good is that?
Is it worth such massive destruction and disruption for just 7.5 minutes, particularly as the most recent highway works at Blackheath achieved so little?
There is no denying the section between the Medlow Bath traffic lights and Blackheath needs major upgrade so why not leave it at that?
There is also no denying Govetts Leap intersection at Blackheath is the worst bottle neck on the highway.
But for 7.5 minutes and zillions of dollars the full Katoomba to Lithgow program is absolutely laughable.
Perhaps motorists just need to be a little patient until the government gets serious with the Bells Line alternative, perhaps sometime this millennium.
Are we on target?
AT last some good news in our dark days.
It's early days yet but how pleasing that Lithgow's outlet is not among the 32 Target stores in NSW listed for closure or re-branding.
The full list, including some centres considerably bigger than Lithgow, appeared in usually accurate news sources at the weekend. Lithgow Target, at the Valley Plaza, is one of Lithgow's three biggest retail outlets.
The danger zone
THE recent near death experience of a middle aged trail biker who fell down a mine shaft while exploring in the Sunny Corner Forest a few days back should be a wake up call to urgently seal off such tempting but deadly hazards.
Long abandoned mine sites from the silver and gold booms of the late 1800's and beyond litter the area around Sunny Corner.
It's long overdue for an effective survey and remedial program to seal off what the diggers left behind. The next curious explorer might not be as lucky as the most recent victim .
Flirting with death
AS the days get shorter around this time of year so too do the odds against survival for unthinking cyclists.
No lights, dark clothing, and often no helmets provide the perfect recipe for disaster around our streets.
Yet the danger goes on year after year. They're not just kids risking their lives either. Perhaps a few fines being handed out (including to parents if possible) might get the word out enough to save life or limb.
Want to keep up to date with Lithgow news? Sign up to our newsletter and breaking news alerts here