New England Greens candidate Mercurius Goldstein believes the long-awaited Scone bypass raises the opportunity of a state-of-the-art truck service centre adjoining the industrial and business parks to the north of town.
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“I share the frustration of Scone residents who have waited so long for the bypass. That’s why it’s been great to hear from locals and the business community looking for new opportunities once the road through town is returned to peaceful local and tourist visitor traffic,” he said.
“Scone could have the best of all worlds. First, a safe and efficient bypass with its rail bridge using funds previously labelled for an in-town high crossing. As well, it can keep its top spot untouched in Elizabeth Park.
A truck service centre and link road would complete a great prospect.
“It seems to me that a truck service centre would deliver a much greater economic return to the town than a giant ramp through the middle. The money would be much better spent on an income-generating service centre than a ramp.
“The big rigs would have a known place they can safely rest, refresh and return to the bypass after a stop-off at the northern edge of town, interacting with local facilities, businesses and the industrial centres.”
Scone residents and business representatives showed Goldstein maps of proposed options for the bypass, highlighting the need for safe entry and exit points.
“I find it remarkable that current government ministers can order a highway to go through, not around, a town at 100 kilometres per hour. The state’s road engineers should not be forced by politicians into such a mistake.”
“I would expect that the bypass itself could proceed immediately once the safest entry and exit alignments have been confirmed by planners and engineers.”
“It should then rightly fall to the voices of the community and local businesses who together devise the most beneficial arrangements for the centre of town.
"But certainly, a truck service centre generating ongoing business and income is the sensible alternative to a ramp that rips up Elizabeth Park.”
