New minor but important roadworks will start soon in Grafton courtesy of funding from the NSW Government, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis has announced. “More than 600 people have been seriously injured or killed on Clarence and Richmond Valley roads over the past seven years and that is more than 600 too many,” Mr Gulaptis said. “This includes five pedestrians being taken to hospital as a result of accidents on Fitzroy Street, Grafton west of Duke Street (the Summerland Way) and that is why we will build 300 metres of pedestrian fencing there.” Mr Gulaptis said the multi-billion dollar upgrade of the Pacific Highway through the Clarence and Richmond Valleys would save countless lives, but that it was also important to remember that more than one third of crashes occur on local roads. “I want to thank my Nationals colleague and Minister for Roads, Melinda Pavey who is delivering the Safer Roads program,” Mr Gulaptis said. Safer Roads projects are funded from the Community Road Safety Fund, which receives all revenue from speed and red-light cameras in NSW.