MAYORS across the region have expressed their disappointment in hearing reports that three to five hours were added to visitors' journeys over the Easter long weekend.
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"It's frustrating to hear, and it affects our reputation," Central NSW Joint Organisation chair John Medcalf said.
"We don't want to deter folk from coming back. We need to fast-track a safe, swift link from Sydney to Central NSW."
The Central NSW Joint Organisation is a collection of councils that includes Oberon and Bathurst.
Cr Medcalf, who is also mayor of Lachlan Shire Council, said Bells Line of Road had either been closed or open to only one lane recently "and while we welcome the $2.5 billion spend on the Great Western Highway improvements, the community along the Great Western Highway can't be happy with the gridlock situation either".
He said the Central NSW Joint Organisation councils are seeking to work with western Sydney councils on solutions before the next federal election.
"The many existing state and federal transport plans acknowledge the need for a safe, swift link in the longer term - whenever that is," he said.
"For over a decade, NSW regional transport plans have talked about a long-term solution, but we are no closer."
While the immediate issue is to make it easier for tourists to travel, a safe, swift link is required for freight and the economic development of this region, Cr Medcalf said.
"Looking at the recent flooding events in western Sydney, we know that they need better evacuation routes," he said.
"At the moment, we have a corridor for a future upgrade ending in the Nepean. That is hardly a flood evacuation route.
"We need a timeframe, and action now, that we can support in achieving that timeframe.
"In the meantime, we need to work with our friends and relatives in Sydney to encourage them to stay an extra night or two to avoid the traffic jam in both directions."
