The state of the highway in the Moree Shire has deteriorated further after more wet weather in the past few weeks.

The Roads and Maritime Service (RMS) are still assessing the damage from the November and February floods.

An RMS spokeswoman said only once the assessment was complete would funds be provided to repair the highway.

There has been no time limit set for the assessment.

T&FS Woods Transport owner Allan Woods has been driving trucks on the Newell for many years, and said the road was fast deteriorating.

“It was deteriorating before the floods, but two floods in three months did a lot of damage,” he said.

“It does damage our trucks - suspension damage mostly.”

The Newell Highway is the main route between Melbourne and Brisbane, and Mr Woods said he was concerned for those travelling through the shire.

“We travel the roads on a regular basis so we know what’s coming but if tourists are coming through and hit a pothole unexpectedly, it can be dangerous.”

Moree Plains Shire Deputy Mayor Sue Price said in the interest of safety it would be best if the road was repaired.

However, the Moree Plains Shire Council has to wait for the RMS to designate funding and contract the repairs to them before they can fix the portion of the Newell inside the shire boundaries.

“I understand the RMS has to perform the assessment and we can only urge them to get it done as quickly as possible - and I do think we are getting it done as quickly as possible,” Cr Price said.

However, many drivers feel it is not quick enough.

“If they could just keep the highway at a safe level, (the RMS) are falling behind and it’s getting damaged more quickly than what they can repair.

“The highway has a large amount of traffic and it was severely damaged from the floods.

“I urge all drivers on the Newell Highway to take notice of the signs that are placed on the road and drive to the road conditions. We hope these repairs are done as soon as possible but it does take time.”