To The Honorable Jenny Aitchison MP, Minister for Roads NSW

Earlier this year, a cyclist, Gail Allen, was killed on 14th January while crossing over 2 lanes of the Princes Motorway (F6 Southern Expressway) southbound to take the Princes Highway exit at Waterfall. The exit is not on the left but over on the right hand side. It's something all cyclists have to negotiate when heading south if they wish to take the quieter and safer Princes Highway. It's an unfortunate design.

There is an existing solution, which was in use in the past. There is a disused tunnel under the F6 and a service road leading from it to the Princes Highway. Reopening this will provide a safe alternative route for cyclists and shall save lives. This service tunnel and road were to service the toll booths and the administration building that were there when the F6 opened in 1975. Myself and others rode through it in the 90s. 

Concrete and earth barricades have been placed on the road and sections are overgrown. The road is in a state of some disrepair adjacent to the tunnel openings but otherwise fairly serviceable. Please begin works to reopen this alternative, saving cost before further deterioration, or another tragedy occurs.

There have been suggestions that cyclists should just stay on the Princes Motorway. The problem with the motorway is that cycle lanes have not seen any maintenance for over a decade and will require millions to repair and resurface. The surface is rough and dangerous in places, and is no longer safe, especially on the descents. Add to this the higher volumes of traffic and nobody really wants cars, buses and heavy trucks doing 110 km/h next to them. Heading south along the motorway, instead of the taking the old highway, is no longer a safe option.

Please open up this existing infrastructure for cyclists and we propose the tunnel be called The Gail Allen Tunnel in memory of her.