The Victorian Government’s Congestion Plan is a welcome step in the fight against traffic congestion but must plug into a broader transport vision for Melbourne as well as take into account the need for strip shopping traders to conduct their business efficiently, says VECCI.
The Keeping Melbourne Moving Plan aims to do the following: standardise 150 clearways within ten kilometres of Melbourne’s CBD to set hours (6.30am to 10.00am and 3.00pm to 7.00pm); more strictly enforce clearways; extend the tram and bus priority program, including more bus priority lanes; extend rapid response patrols to clear broken-down vehicles; a boost for cyclist and pedestrian facilities; and `smart travel’ information for motorists to enable them to make better informed route choices.
“Traffic congestion is an economic cost to Melbourne and its business community, causing increased freight travel times, lateness to work, reduced work-life balance and reduced liveability for Melbourne overall”, says VECCI Head of Economic and Industry Policy Steven Wojtkiw.
“The standardisation of clearways across the City will provide clearer signals for motorists and freight users and undoubtedly improve traffic flows.
“However, Melbourne’s strip shopping is a key jewel in Melbourne’s retail crown and we do not want to become a city offering only LA-style malls – as such, we urge genuine stakeholder consultation with traders on the new measures and how they will work, especially in terms of impacts on retail custom and freight deliveries to shops.
“This would include a willingness to adjust implementation in light of observed impacts and focused efforts to provide alternatives to car parking on the main strip when clearways are extended.
“Furthermore, to deal with the congestion problem in the long-term, an updated vision for Melbourne in 2030 is needed, underpinned by a comprehensive transport plan”, says Mr Wojtkiw. |
