feedback on the change.

An RTA spokesperson said a community meeting was held in Cargo on Thursday 28 January 2010 to discuss the speed reduction which was due to come into effect on 22 February.

“Representatives of the RTA attended the meeting and have agreed to a request to defer the change for four weeks.

“The additional time will allow Cabonne Council to respond to the RTA’s request for feedback on the speed zone review.

“The council is being asked to provide its response as soon as possible so the RTA can consider it before the extended implementation date,” the spokesperson said.

“In the five year period between 2004 and 2008, there were 44 crashes on this section of road, including one fatal and 20 injury crashes. This is almost double the rate for similar undivided rural roads.

“As well as the high crash rate, the road has many steep and winding sections, steep road embankments and many trees close to the road,” the spokesperson said.

Cargo Road is a regional road and repairs and maintenance are the responsibility of the local

councils.

“The RTA has sole responsibility for setting speed limits on all roads in NSW and has a primary role in road safety,” the spokesperson said.