Speed limit stays until August

The 60km/h speed limit at the Kariong end of Woy Woy Rd is not expected to be raised until after roadworks are completed in August.

Gosford Council has announced it will finally commence the works in May after receiving $450,000 in Black Spot funding.

The 60 km/h speed zone has been in force since June last year.

Council's director of engineering services Mr John Cragg said council had been waiting on securing State Government funding for the project and to decide on what option would be the most effective way of improving the "black spot" area.

"A crash history of the site reported by the RTA and local police indicated that something needed to be done to improve the safety of motorists travelling along Woy Woy Rd," Mr Cragg said.

"Until funding for the area had been secured, it was the responsible thing for council to reduce the speed limit from 80 km/h to 60 km/h given the crash history of the area.

"The Local Traffic Committee made the decision to reduce the speed limit through that section of road until improvements had been made.

"After council submitted an application for Black Spot funding, it was approved and saw council granted $450,000 for project works."

Mr Cragg said works would include reshaping and widening of the road surface, skid resistant bitumen sealing and additional guardrails to the section of road south of Kariong in the vicinity of scout camp and Aboriginal appreciation site.

"Once work is completed the original speed limit will be reinstated," Mr Cragg said.

"Work is expected to take approximately three months to complete."

Clare Graham, 4 Mar 2010 Interviewee: John Cragg, Gosford Council