KAPUNDA residents are calling for an urgent fix to Moppa Road, claiming a two-kilometre stretch is in a “dreadful, dangerous and totally unacceptable” state.

A total of 97 nearby residents or regular Moppa Road users have signed a petition, headed by Dr John Holt, that was submitted at Light Regional Council’s May meeting.

In it they ask for Moppa Road, from Wildlife Road to the golf course, be given the highest priority for sealing.

“According to some of us who have been living in the area for over 50 years the current state of Moppa Road is worse now than anyone can remember,” the petition states.

“The road surface has corrugations and potholes so large that many users, including trucks, semi-trailers and cars, are forced to drive at speeds as low as 15km/hour to avoid possible suspension damage to their vehicles.

“Council from time to time does have the road graded, however this is at best only a very temporary alleviation of the problem and the surface usually returns to a shockingly corrugated condition within two weeks.

“It is extremely frustrating to observe council funds directed at regional town improvements and infrastructures while a rather busy rural road, serving a number of businesses and residences, is almost completely ignored.”

In response, councillors moved and carried a motion to consider the “sustained improvement” of the Moppa Road surface a high priority.

They also requested a report be prepared that covers funding opportunities for it to be sealed, as well as actions that can be taken immediately to ensure the road is maintained satisfactorily and consistently up until then.

The road was previously presented to the Federal Government in March as part of council’s shovel-ready stimulus package.