The taskforce met in Gilgandra on Monday to discuss the issues on the highway.

Taskforce chairman Ken Keith said the continuing concern of not enough overtaking lanes was the main topic at the meeting.

“Two thirds of the Newell is a road train route and their speed is limited to 90 km/h, so this will slow people down even more, this is why we need overtaking lanes,” he said.

The taskforce will take the matter to the State Government.

“We will be lobbying the minister for extra money for overtaking lanes on the highway,” he said.

Another issue discussed at the meeting was having shower facilities installed at the rest stops along the highway.

“It would be good to have showers provided at the rest stops so when the drivers have had their required rest break they can have a shower and go back on the road feeling really refreshed,” Mr Keith said.

The taskforce will now convene further meetings to discuss how best to go about this.

Mr Keith said installing showers in the rest stops would take careful consideration and consultation.

“We will talk to the trucking industry and local councils about funding,” he said.

“We will have to be careful to not cut across private enterprise.”

Mr Keith warned any project the taskforce became involved with may take some time as all issues discussed were “long term”.