A new road is generally a welcome thing around these parts, except when the new work is worse that what was there before.Stanwell Tops residents who contacted the Mercury this week believe this is the case with the newly re-laid 3km section of Lawrence Hargrave Rd between the F6 and Stanwell Tops.Stanwell Tops resident Des OBrien said the road was smooth and in reasonable condition before the work, which took place last week."The finished product is a disgrace and an appalling misuse of NSW ratepayer funds," Mr OBrien said."The completed project leaves the roadway in a worse state than before."The cracks and ruts remain in the surface and underground spring activity has already reappeared in the roadway."He said the road resealing involved a thin veneer of tar with gravel thrown loosely over the tar.The marked road lines are still visible through it."This has made no difference to the road except to make it rougher, dangerous because of loose gravel thrown up by cars," Mr OBrien said.The Roads and Traffic Authority yesterday did not respond to questions submitted by the Mercury.Criticism of the upgrade work comes after a disappointing result for Illawarra roads in the state budget on Tuesday.The Illawarra received less than 2 per cent of the State Government's record $4.4 billion roads spend.Several projects on the Princes Hwy have been allocated new money - a reduced amount from last year though. Minister for the Illawarra David Campbell said $42 million would be spent on new roads projects in the region as part of the budget.