A HORSHAM school bus driver has shared his concerns regarding the high number of hazard signs on the Henty Highway.
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Garry Kennett drives between Horsham and Warracknabeal on the Henty Highway four times a day or 20 times each week.
Mr Kennett has counted 29 rough surface, 80km/h signs over the 55 kilometre stretch. Of those, 18 are permanent.
"The roads are that rough that you have to really concentrate on steering. It really shows how much our country roads need repairing," he said.
He started driving the school bus about a year ago and said he was 'alarmed' with how rough the roads were.
"I thought I'd count the signs and hazards on one trip when I had no students. I counted 670 patches on the road, and that was going 100km/h so I probably missed a lot," he said.
"If you work it out, there's a patch every 83 metres on the highway."
He said roads across the Wimmera needed more attention.
"There have been roadworks on the Western Highway between Horsham and Nhill for four years now. That road's not so bad because it's been getting a lot of attention," he said.
"The Henty Highway is a major road and needs that attention too. They need to get the repairers out there and fix the road."
Mr Kennett approached Member for Lowan Emma Kealy with his concern and presented her with the statistics he'd accumulated.
Ms Kealy said "a number of other local constituents" had contacted her regarding the highway's condition.
"This incredible amount of road hazard signs, approximately one every two kilometres, is a clear statement that the Henty Highway is in urgent need of repair," she said.
"For many of our local residents our regional road network is their daily workplace. It is simply not good enough that our roads are so poorly maintained that our local people are putting their lives at risk just doing their job, taking the kids to school or going to footy or netball training."
Ms Kealy has called on the state government to undertake maintenance works on the Henty Highway to enable the signage to be removed.
Regional Roads Victoria acting western region director Brad Pryor encouraged drivers to obey the safety sign.
"We are aware of the condition of this section of the Henty Highway and we're currently working on plans for long-term repairs," he said.
"Until repairs can be completed, we ask drivers to drive with caution and take note of any additional signage they may encounter."
The Wimmera Mail-Times has contacted the office of Roads Minister Jaala Pulford for comment.
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