Metal rope barrier to be erected on nightmare road where constable Timothy Proctor was killed in a horror car crash after residents pleaded for help
- Metal rope barrier is to be set up at dangerous Heathcote Road in Lucas Heights
- Roads minister Melinda Pavey confirmed that installation had been greenlighted
- Lucas Heights residents kickstarted a petition pushing for barriers to be installed
- Push for better safety came after police officer Timothy Proctor lost life in crash
A metal rope barrier will be set up along a dangerous road after a young police officer lost his life in a horrific head-on-collision with another car last month.
Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey, confirmed to 9 News the barriers were on their way and ready for installation along Heathcote Road at Lucas Heights in Sydney's south.
'I can’t give you a date, but we have our people out there and inspecting that and ensuring we put them in safely.'
The announcement is good news for residents in the area, who have long been pushing for safety to be improved along the 24km stretch of road.
Teenager Tilayna Muddle kick-started an online petition for the barriers to be installed in early February.
'Considering all the comments the public have made on the petition, it’s really important they put those barriers in before someone else dies on that road,' Ms Muddle said.
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Calls for a safer road reached fever pitch when police officer Timothy Proctor died after he was involved in a head on collision with another car at the end of January
In the Change.org petition, Ms Muddle said the combination of 100k/h speed zones and winding turns made for dangerous driving conditions.
'Despite the many accidents, near misses, and pleas from road users, our local government has planned no such installation of road safety barriers to protect drivers,' the petition read.
Concerned residents were quick to take to the online petition to air their frustration.
'Barriers need to be installed immediately,' one person said.
'Local lives matter,' another concerned resident said.
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'Having young adult sons with friends living at the other end of Heathcote Road, I am always so worried for them all travelling that road.
'While I’m confident in their ability to drive, it’s the unpredictability of others that is the problem. Vehicles crossing to the other side of the road at speeds of 100km causing a high speed head on collision on this stretch of road is never far from my mind.'
Calls for a safer road reached fever pitch when police officer Timothy Proctor died after he was involved in a head on collision with another car at the end of January.
Mr Proctor was driving back to work after a training exercise when the 29-year-old's car collided with a black Honda Civic travelling the opposite way
Mr Proctor was driving back to work after a training exercise when the 29-year-old's car collided with a black Honda Civic travelling the opposite way.
The vehicle crossed a lane of traffic before veering onto the wrong side and colliding into Constable Proctor at a combined speed of 200k/h.
The probationary constable was rushed to Liverpool Hospital and placed in an induced coma after he was pulled from the wreckage of his Honda Jazz.
He succumbed to his injuries in hospital days later.
Mr Proctor had only been a member of the NSW Police Force for a short nine months after working as a firefighter.
Commissioner Mick Fuller said Mr Proctor had a 'tremendous passion and commitment' for his job and his community, and gave his condolences to Mr Proctor's family and colleagues.
'My thoughts are with Timothy's wife Dianne, his family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time,' he said.
'Timothy was certainly well on the way to a wonderful policing career and was well respected by his colleagues and all who knew him.
'He joined the Police Force after being a volunteer fire-fighter and had a tremendous passion and commitment for all emergency services and the community.'
Police Minister Troy Grant said the tragic crash was a 'confronting reminder of the horrific trauma we sadly continue to see on our roadways'.
'P/Cst Proctor was a recent recruit from the Goulburn Academy and had begun a promising career at Liverpool City Police Area Command,' he said in a statement.
'It’s the worst call that a police minister can get, to be told that one of our own has been injured or killed in the course of their duties.
'P/Cst Proctor will be deeply missed by his young wife and family. We can not imagine their grief for a life lost far too soon.
'I’m sure I speak on behalf of the entire community when I say that his loved ones, and the broader police family, have our full support at this tragic time.'
A funeral service was held for Mr Proctor at the All Saints Catholic Church in Liverpool at the start of last week.
Police Minister Troy Grant said the tragic crash was a 'confronting reminder of the horrific trauma we sadly continue to see on our roadways'
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