Dear Editor,
Abhorrent. This is the only word that comes to mind to begin to describe the current state of both the unsealed and sealed roads in the Forbes Shire.
With no end in sight to the situation of the roads and with harvest looming, the deterioration of these roads will only be exacerbated once headers and trucks and chaser bins start using them on a regular basis.
The potential for an accident is imminent. The potential for severe damage to a vehicle is imminent.
Don’t get me wrong, I understand that Mother Nature is having an irrefutable hand in what is happening to the roads. I understand that nothing can be done about what nature will throw at us and that with so much water lying around it does make it difficult to be able to access some roads to begin vital repair work.
What I don’t understand is the lack of trying, or that when an attempt is made it appears to be a waste of wages and diesel as the roads only turn out worse and require more effort to repair.
If all roads lead to Forbes for tourism and spending what happens when those roads stop being travelled?
What happens when our farmers can’t get contractors to harvest or cart their grain because a contractor is fearful for damage to his asset travelling those roads?
Fixing roads is a necessity for safety and access and continuing financial stability for everyone in the region.
I ask, is Council able to show when and how the path to repairing our roads will begin?
Michelle
(Letter shortened. Ed)