A group of concerned residents held a rally to protest about a plan to install wire rope barriers on Thursday.
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Mick Mahony said he believed the barriers were unnecessary and a waste of money.
He told the large group assembled on the Princes Highway that he had learned there would be barriers installed between the dual highway from Deakin University to Allansford and on a stretch of road past Allansford on the sides of the highway and in the centre of the road. "There will be barriers on each side of the road and one up the centre," Mr Mahony said.
"Everyone I have spoken to is quite astonished about the one up the centre."
Mr Mahony said it would be difficult to overtake vehicles on the road, with only a few passing lanes expected to be included. "In my opinion, I don't like them," he said. "I think they achieve nothing."
Mr Mahony said a number of landholders were still waiting for upgrades to the road promised back in the `70s. "My problem with it is in 1970 our family and all the other families through here had to sell our land - very unwillingly - to VicRoads," he said.
"The reason we were told at the time is the dual highway from Warrnambool to Allansford would be continued to Panmure.
"Here we are 40 to 50 years later and we've got no highway and the best they can give us is a wire cable barrier up the centre white line.
"I think it's completely unsatisfactory. Right now I think the duplication of the highway from Premier Speedway to at least the Great Ocean Road is an absolute must."
Member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur said she was concerned about the installation of the barriers.
"In 1972, good farming land was compulsory acquired and unwillingly sold to enable the construction of a dual highway between Allansford and Panmure," she said. "This is the obvious solution to the road safety concerns in this section of the Princes Highway.
VicRoads safer roads director Scott Lawrence told The Standard earlier this month the authority was finalising plans and considering feedback from the community on the proposed works.
"Safe barriers save lives - and as we near the end of a tragic year on our roads, it's as important as ever that we continue to deliver these lifesaving upgrades," he said.
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