By Brad Gardner | August 13, 2010The Victorian Government is being urged to look at possible quick-fixes to deal with an increase in truck traffic west of Melbourne
Footscray MP Marsha Thomson wants Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas to investigate options to reduce the number of heavy vehicles using a local street in Footscray to get to the Port of Melbourne.
Residents of Moore Street have complained to Thomson about heavy vehicles using the road at night, saying trucks are stopping them from sleeping.
A tunnel will be constructed as part of the WestLink project to reduce the number of trucks using residential streets, but Thomson says locals need an interim solution.
“The number of trucks travelling down there is particularly causing difficulty for residents at night. They are not just little trucks; they are big trucks heading to the port,” she says.
“The action I seek from the minister is that he investigate what options might be available to be put in place during the interim that will alleviate the problem now…”
Thomson made the comments in parliament this week. While not specifying what options should be considered, she says the Government must not divert the problem to other areas.
The WestLink is a two-stage plan, with the first part linking Dynon Road and Footscray Road in the Port of Melbourne precinct with Sunshine Road and Geelong Road in West Footscray.
The second stage will connect to the Western Ring Road.
WestLink is part of the $38 billion Victoria Transport Plan and is designed to reduce pressure on the West Gate Bridge and cope with population growth and rising traffic levels.
ATN has contacted Thomson for comment.