Trucks ‘incorrectly’ using Pennant Hills Road in line for $194 fine
Heavy vehicles avoiding Sydney’s NorthConnex tollway by using Pennant Hills Road are now subject to prosecution, Transport for NSW (TfNSW) advises.
With a grace period over as of March 12, TfNSW is enforcing compliance on the controversial NorthConnex alternative, with signage and cameras on overhead gantries and signage on connecting major roads in place.
Fines of $194 with no conviction apply for breaches.
Trucks and buses over the length of 12.5m or over the height of 2.8m, travelling between the M1 and M2, are required to use NorthConnex – unless they have a genuine destination only accessible via Pennant Hills Road, are carrying a placard Dangerous Goods load, or are a restricted access vehicle required to use Pennant Hills Road.
NatRoad argues TfNSW responses to NorthConnex concerns fall short
“We are seeing more than 6,000 trucks utilising the new tunnel per day, reducing congestion on Pennant Hills Road and noise for local residents and businesses,” Transport for NSW acting deputy secretary Greater Sydney Howard Collins says.
“The majority of trucks and buses are doing the right thing, with only around 80 trucks a day on average still taking Pennant Hills Road, compared with more than 6,000 trucks that are using the tunnel.”
Collins claims TfNSW has been working with the freight industry to make them aware of the changes ahead of the enforcement commencing on Monday.
“We understand that it can take time to adjust to major changed traffic conditions, so a temporary grace period on issuing penalties has been in place for trucks and buses, with warning letters issued, since the opening of NorthConnex,” Collins says.
“Our plan was always to start the fines in March to allow the cameras and traffic flows to be adjusted on opening of NorthConnex, for better monitoring of truck movements.
“We’re reminding truck and bus operators to take the tunnel as the fines start Monday (March 15).”
NatRoad says it asked the NSW Government earlier this month to determine the position that no further toll roads should be mandated for heavy vehicles with CEO of NatRoads, Warren Clark saying there should always be an alternative route to a tolled route.
“Many in the road transport industry continue to suffer from the detrimental business impact of COVID-19 and the impact of compulsory tolls is further affecting many businesses’ already slim profit margins,” says Clark.
“Less congested, safer, well-designed roads can equate to time savings, reliability and reduced heavy vehicle operating costs. But these advantages all amount to very little where tolling arrangements unreasonably discriminate against heavy vehicle operators, as has happened with the construction of the NorthConnex tunnel both in the setting of tolls and in the mandated requirement to use the tunnel.”
“Now that fines are about to bite for those who don’t take NorthConnex, it’s time to ensure that the NorthConnex debacle never happens again,” Clark says.