A new proposal, drafted in consultation with Cabonne Council, recommends a 12km stretch from Cargo to Greening Lane be signposted at 90km/h, with Greening Lane to Nashdale to be reduced to 80km/h.

The recommendation was reached after a review of crash data for the road which removed statistics for any accidents that had occurred within the existing 80km/h zone.

The review found the number of accidents on stretches signposted at 100km/h was still about twice the average for similar rural roads.

A review of road conditions also found several hazards which, if they were to be repaired, would significantly improve the safety of the road.

Council will seek funding for upgrades, including tree clearance and the installation of guard rails, to a 20km stretch of the road.

The RTA has said it could reconsider the speed limit downgrade if the repairs are carried out, but completing the work and securing the more than $500,000 needed to finance it is expected to take council several years.

Council has also proposed the construction of an overtaking lane on the Orange to Cargo stretch, which is currently all one lane.

Cargo resident Doreen Sullivan said the new proposal was an improvement on the original recommendation but still not ideal.

“We would like our road upgraded for safety reasons and kept at 100, that’s the bottom line,” she said.

Motorist Kevin Shepherd, who travels along the road at least once a month from Goulburn, said the council urgently needed to upgrade the road, particularly around Lidster Hill which was treacherous during winter.

He said tree clearance, widening the shoulders and resurfacing work would significantly improve driving conditions on the hill.

“It needs it urgently because the winter months are coming and that’s the worst time,” he said.

“It’s extra dangerous for motorists when cars get into a slide.”

A spokesperson for the RTA said a final decision on the speed limit would be made after Cabonne mayor Kevin Duffy met with NSW Transport and Roads Minister David Campbell next Thursday.

“What I’m looking forward to is an informed decision rather than something that’s just been imposed on us,” Cr Duffy said.

A revised speed limit is expected to be introduced on March 31.

lisa.cox@ruralpress.com