ID :
209723
Tue, 09/27/2011 - 14:23
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/209723
The shortlink copeid
Big trucks may join peak-hour traffic
SYDNEY (AAP) - 27 Sept - Motorists battling to get to work on Melbourne's congested freeways may soon have to contend with larger trucks.
VicRoads is considering dumping the peak-hour ban on heavy trucks, introduced by the former Labor government two years ago, and allowing trucks longer than 30 metres.
Former roads minister Tim Pallas launched the trial in 2009 allowing heavy freight trucks up to 30 metres long on freeways linking the Port of Melbourne with major industrial areas in the west and north of the city and in the green triangle region in southwestern Victoria.
But the heavy trucks were not allowed on the West Gate Freeway and Western Ring Road in the morning and afternoon weekday peak hours.
VicRoads is working with the freight industry to review the trial, and proposals include scrapping the peak-hour restrictions and 30-metre limit.
Acting chief operating officer David Shelton said he hoped to make recommendations to government in the next few months.
He said boosting freight productivity was necessary as container volume at the Port of Melbourne was expected to exceed four million units by 2020.
Victorian Transport Association deputy chief executive Neil Chambers said freight operators needed to transport goods 24 hours a day to ensure products were delivered to supermarkets and retailers.
"These are safe vehicles," he told AAP.
"By having these vehicles on the road you have less trucks.
"What does the community prefer, two or three semi-trailers in peak traffic compared to one of these higher-productivity vehicles in peak traffic?"
Transport minister Terry Mulder said he was yet to see VicRoads' proposals.
"We'd want to know what this means for productivity, what it means for congestion, what the impact would be on road safety and also ... what roads on the network are going to be identified," he said.
Mr Pallas, now opposition ports and infrastructure spokesman, released a copy of speech notes prepared for parliamentary secretary for transport, Edward O'Donohue, who addressed a freight industry gathering earlier this month.
According to the notes, Mr O'Donohue told the gathering that Mr Mulder was keen to see greater use of heavy freight vehicles in metropolitan areas.
Mr Pallas said the coalition government was planning a freight `free-for-all' across suburban Melbourne.
"Bigger, longer trucks are not only of concern to the community, but they do put at risk the community in circumstances where they don't feel safe travelling alongside these vehicles," he told reporters.
Mr Donohue told AAP he had crossed out that section of the speech prepared for him and did not recall making those comments.
VicRoads is considering dumping the peak-hour ban on heavy trucks, introduced by the former Labor government two years ago, and allowing trucks longer than 30 metres.
Former roads minister Tim Pallas launched the trial in 2009 allowing heavy freight trucks up to 30 metres long on freeways linking the Port of Melbourne with major industrial areas in the west and north of the city and in the green triangle region in southwestern Victoria.
But the heavy trucks were not allowed on the West Gate Freeway and Western Ring Road in the morning and afternoon weekday peak hours.
VicRoads is working with the freight industry to review the trial, and proposals include scrapping the peak-hour restrictions and 30-metre limit.
Acting chief operating officer David Shelton said he hoped to make recommendations to government in the next few months.
He said boosting freight productivity was necessary as container volume at the Port of Melbourne was expected to exceed four million units by 2020.
Victorian Transport Association deputy chief executive Neil Chambers said freight operators needed to transport goods 24 hours a day to ensure products were delivered to supermarkets and retailers.
"These are safe vehicles," he told AAP.
"By having these vehicles on the road you have less trucks.
"What does the community prefer, two or three semi-trailers in peak traffic compared to one of these higher-productivity vehicles in peak traffic?"
Transport minister Terry Mulder said he was yet to see VicRoads' proposals.
"We'd want to know what this means for productivity, what it means for congestion, what the impact would be on road safety and also ... what roads on the network are going to be identified," he said.
Mr Pallas, now opposition ports and infrastructure spokesman, released a copy of speech notes prepared for parliamentary secretary for transport, Edward O'Donohue, who addressed a freight industry gathering earlier this month.
According to the notes, Mr O'Donohue told the gathering that Mr Mulder was keen to see greater use of heavy freight vehicles in metropolitan areas.
Mr Pallas said the coalition government was planning a freight `free-for-all' across suburban Melbourne.
"Bigger, longer trucks are not only of concern to the community, but they do put at risk the community in circumstances where they don't feel safe travelling alongside these vehicles," he told reporters.
Mr Donohue told AAP he had crossed out that section of the speech prepared for him and did not recall making those comments.
