ACF branch favours road upgrade

Political candidates should be looking at upgrading Woy Woy Rd in preference to building a new link to the Peninsula from the F3 freeway, according to the Central Coast branch of the Australian Conservation Foundation.

An upgrade of Woy Woy Rd would be more cost-effective and would have a much lower impact on the National Park, according to branch secretary Mr John Wiggin.

"Woy Woy Rd gives adequate access for the Peninsula providing it is kept well maintained and a speed of 80km/h is possible," he said.

Mr Wiggin said that Peninsula residents had been understandably frustrated by lack of access during repair work to the Bull's Hill section of Woy Woy Rd and then by speed limits of 60km/h and less being imposed for the last six months at the Kariong end of the road.

He said plans considered by Gosford Council which would bypass The Bays area near the Bulls Hill quarry and provide a railway underpass were more feasible, and less environmentally damaging, than a link directly to the F3 freeway.

Mr Wiggin said that, while the ACF branch favoured a localised economy with increased public transport, it recognised that the Peninsula's population of more than 30,000 people needed adequate road infrastructure, including access to the freeway.

Media release, 12 Aug 2010 John Wiggin, ACF Central Coast