10 local road projects have missed out in the latest round of Black Spot funding, Member for North Metropolitan Ken Travers said today.

These projects were 10 of the 29 projects in the metropolitan area to miss out on funding despite the Liberals’ record revenue generated from red light and speed cameras.

“Despite being considered suitable for Black Spot funding these projects were added to the waitlist and will only receive funding this year if other successful projects do not proceed,” he said.

“The State Government and local councils would have been in a position to spend more than $517,000 to make our roads safer had these applications been successful.

“Of the successful projects, 11 projects will only receive funding for their design this year and will have to join the queue for funding to be constructed next year.”

“The Liberals must increase Black Spot funding by $10million to clear the backlog of projects that missed out on funding this year,” Mr Travers said.

The total value of the 71 projects that failed to secure funding was $10million – the same amount the RAC called on the Liberals to inject into the Black Spot program in their pre-budget submission.

“The Minister should seriously consider the impact this injection of funds would have on Western Australia’s road toll.”

Mr Travers said funding for the Black Spot program had not increased since Labor increased it to $20million per year in 2005.

“To be spending the same amount as 2005 demonstrates the Liberals are simply not committed to road safety,” he said.

“The Liberals expect to collect a record $93million this year from speed and red light cameras and a staggering $113million next year.

They will also be taking in an extra $167million from motor vehicle license fees compared to the amount collected in 2005.

“It would only take a very small percentage of this extra money to clear the backlog of Black Spot applications across Western Australia.”

Waitlisted North Metropolitan Road Projects: