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Percy Barrett, MHA for the District of Bellevue, says the announcement of
minimal funding for upgrades to roads in Bellevue District is ridiculous.
"The roads in the District of Bellevue are in deplorable condition," said
Mr. Barrett. "People living in my district are paying $180 for registering
their vehicles and 16.5 cents in gas tax for every litre of fuel they
consume. Both of these fees are supposed to be used to improve road
infrastructure in the province, but it is obvious this does not include the
people living in the communities in Bellevue District. If this is the
treatment government is going to provide these people, I suggest they
discontinue collecting these fees.
"Some of the roads in this region of our province are treacherous. School
buses travel the highways everyday with children and many fear an accident
is just waiting to happen. The road into Terrenceville is sloped and some
are afraid that the school bus could eventually hit this dip at the wrong
angle and tip over. Instead of refusing to make road investments for
political reasons, I suggest the minister re-evaluate this approach and put
safety first.
"It’s regrettable that this government has returned to the days of the
Peckford and Moores governments of putting people’s lives at risk, while
ignoring the needs of Opposition districts. My record as Minister of
Transportation speaks for itself with road investments being based on need,
not politics. If Minister Taylor evaluated these needs in the same manner,
he would see that the districts of Bellevue and Baie Verte require the most
investment. Instead, the people of Bellevue District will be forced to go
without these upgrades and continue to drive on some of the worst roads in
the province."
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