FOR what seems like forever and a day Blue Mountains residents sceptical of political promises have been airing their concerns that looming new highway widening between Lithgow and Katoomba is not a priority for commuters but a welcome mat for ever bigger trucks taking over the poor old Great Western.
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And they're right. It's official.
In its latest community bulletin Transport NSW declares that bigger really is better and the highway upgrade is being designed to accommodate '.. . B doubles up to 25 metres and modern more productive vehicles up to 30 metres'.
The present semi trailers are restricted to 19 metres so it's a significant change but TNSW says the monster trucks have higher safety standards, cause less emissions, and require 55 fewer trips to transport the same amount of freight.
Ah yes, statistics. Bend them and twist them to suit your purpose. Pollies love them.
Anyway there's no denying the section between Katoomba and Blackheath needs safety upgrades. It's the most hazardous stretch in the Mountains.
But what to do with the obvious problems of creating four lanes through Medlow Bath, Blackheath and Mt Victoria without vandalising the place? The statisticians are no doubt hard at work on those little problems.
Watch this space.
One big parking lot
STILL with highway problems and there were unprecedented scenes when it seemed half of Sydney escaped the lockdown blues to head west to celebrate the Queen's birthday.
Residents had never experienced just what eventuated this year and as the public holiday faded the talk back radio outlets were abuzz with motorists anxious to tell their stories of traffic mayhem on the Great Western and the Bells Line.
There were claims of trips normally taking 45 minutes east of Lithgow literally stretching into hours. It's normal (in normal times) for traffic to be logjammed from Blackheath to Mt Boyce.
This time the non moving queues of frustrated travellers continued more than double that distance to half way through Hartley and there were similar east bound experiences on the Bells Line between Richmond and Mt Tomah.
It all had to be seen to be believed.
The rush to the country was also highlighted in Lithgow where cafes had their best trading in months.
One café proprietor in Lithgow's CBD told the column it had been the busiest trading period since last year's Halloween. "We had to shut early on Monday after twice running out of food," she said.
The lighter side
What goes around (the sky) comes around. And coming around next week is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight hours.
Despite a millisecond either way it's generally accepted June 23 is the big event when Old Sol heads back our way from the annual Northern Hemisphere jaunt. Official Mid Summer isn't until July 15.
Off road revolt
IT should surprise no one that rumblings of revolt are emerging in our area over the uncontrolled surge in off road vehicle mayhem.
The problem was highlighted in Friday's Lithgow Mercury with the mindless damage being caused along the Turon River infuriating land owners and environmental groups.
Year round, even during the lockdown, we have become something of an irresistible magnet for 4WDs, trail bikes, quads and assorted bush bashers and you can risk life and limb venturing into the Newnes Forest.
One worker at the State Mine Museum during the holiday weekend estimated at least 50 4WDs in one convoy alone heading towards the forest.
But what to do about it? Maybe a permit system to limit numbers. Or perhaps just issue them with cans of spray on mud and tell them to stay home.
Hijacked
IT would be a cynical person indeed who denied the need for social reform for Australia's indigenous people.
The lack of past positive reform is a stain on our so called civilised society. But like all worthy causes gaining momentum there are always elements seeking to hijack the agenda.
In Australia, as around the world, the core mission risks being sidetracked, and even losing popular support, with criminal destruction, vandalism, violence and the now absurd bid to change history by vandalising historic statues.
Even animal rights and refugee campaigners are clinging to the Black Lives Matter coat tails and that's a danger to what was emerging as a popular revolution.
