The state Opposition survey has come up with the 10 worst roads in regional Victoria.
The Great Alpine Rd emerged in top spot, followed by the Princes Hwy (various locations) and Melbourne-Lancefield Rd rounded out the podium.
The Murray Valley Hwy (various locations) was rated eighth, according to the survey.
Mr Walsh says the Murray Valley Hwy joins roads such as Echuca-Mitiamo Rd, Prairie-Rochester Rd and Echuca-Kyabram Rd, which were also highlighted by complaints to the survey.
The Nationals leader said travelling on too many local roads was like being in a pinball machine, as you ricocheted from one side of the road to the other trying to dodge massive potholes while avoiding collapsed shoulders.
“Just look at the Echuca road to Kyabram and its 80km/h signs that have been there longer than anyone can remember because the Andrews Labor Government knows they are not safe and is trying to hide that behind slower speeds,” Mr Walsh said.
“Thousands of votes were lodged from around the state. Respondents highlighted the poor state of local road surfaces right across the shire — as well as in the wider areas of my electorate.
“But what would be the real joke here — but can’t ever be because we are talking life and death — is Roads Minister Ben Carroll having the gall to stand up in the Parliament and insist the state’s roads are smoother and safer.
“Then, even worse, his Labor colleague, the Member for Eltham, backed him by accusing us of ‘imagined fantasy’ with our concerns about the state’s roads — but it’s not just us, we were swamped with complaints from the general public.”
Mr Walsh said the poll results would be forwarded to Mr Carroll, adding Labor cut the road maintenance budget by 10 per cent in its first year and has been neglecting the state’s roads ever since.
“That budget was cut by a further $24 million in this year’s figures, after a massive $191 million chop last year. On top of this, they have scrapped the Country Roads and Bridges funding program as well,” Mr Walsh said.
“We’re seeing the result of these cuts in poor roads that are unsafe for drivers right around the state.”
The top 10 worst roads in Victoria:
1. Great Alpine Rd
2. Princes Hwy (various locations)
3. Melbourne-Lancefield Rd
4. Traralgon-Maffra Rd
5. Paynesville Rd
6. Woolsthorpe-Heywood Rd
7. Heathcote-Nagambie Rd
8. Murray Valley Hwy (various locations)
9. Western Fwy (various locations)
10. Jerusalem Creek Rd
