SHOCKING roads with potholes are causing headaches for south-west road users.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With tyre repair businesses seeing an influx in customers with busted rims and damaged tyres, Hamilton police say a pothole was a contributing factor in a motorcyclist coming off his bike on the Hamilton Highway.
Hamilton Highway Patrol were called to the straight stretch of road near Caramut at 6.20pm on Tuesday night.
Leading senior constable Steve Cuomo, from the highway patrol, said there were a few potholes on the undulated road along with the general wear and tear from trucks.
“He’s lost stability of the motorbike and come off,” he said.
“Everywhere around the south-west there are roads that need more attention.
“People need to drive to the conditions. If it’s night time or there’s fog just be conscious that their vision will be restricted.”
The Hamilton man, in his early 20s, suffered minor injuries and was taken to Warrnambool Base Hospital.
Bridgestone Warrnambool manager Jamie Baulch said there had been a noticeable increase in buckled and cracked rims. “I guess it’s something we take a lot of notice of in our everyday life because we see what damage can happen,” he said.
“It’s going to take a fatality to get something done.
“There was one on the Ayreford Road. That size is horrible.
“For some it could cost hundreds of dollars for others it could cost $1000-plus. Mercedes rims cost $1500 straight off the cuff and that’s without tyres.”
B and S Discount Tyres owner Tony Cronin said often motorists didn’t realise how big the pothole they’d hit until they had pulled over. “We’re still seeing a few cracked rims and tyres,” he said.
“All they do is patch the hole and it’s back again a week later. The government needs to realise the roads don’t stop at Melbourne.”
Tyreplus Warrnambool proprietor Stuart Bishop said motorists didn’t have to go far to find a road in a bad condition.
This week Corangamite Shire announced its wishlist ahead of the November election. Shire chief executive officer Andrew Mason said a clear strategy was needed on the best way to upgrade the route, plus $300 million to make it a reality.
He said the highway between Colac and the South Australian border was sub-standard.
