By Gabrielle Costa
CLEARWAY times will be extended within a 10-kilometre radius of the city under State Government plans to relieve peak-hour congestion – and that will mean changes on local roads.
Under the plans, clearway times will be standardised, and in some cases extended, from 6.30am to 10am and then 3pm to 7pm for the afternoon rush.
Parking and stopping is not allowed in a clearway zone during stipulated times and the extension of clearway times is designed to encourage freer-flowing traffic.
Many local suburbs are within a 10km radius of the city. The extended clearway times will take effect on roadways including Williamstown Rd, Churchill Ave, Footscray and Sunshine roads and Hopkins St.
“Jobs and the population are growing faster than predicted,” said Premier John Brumby when he announced the changes last week. “This growth has led to more cars on the road and more people on public transport, putting pressure on our roads and public transport and extending the time of our peak periods.
“This plan will provide some quick, immediate relief, with a focus on the 10-kilometre radius around the CBD, which experiences some of the heaviest congestion during peak times.”
Some councils expressed concern about the impact of the extended clearways times on traders but the mayor of the City of Maribyrnong, Michelle MacDonald, said it would have only “minimal impact” because Hopkins St was the only stretch lined with retailers.
“The standardised clearway times will hopefully result in less confusion for motorists as the State Government will uniformly apply the new standards across inner metropolitan Melbourne. The consistent clearways, combined with increased enforcement, will also assist the movement of buses and trams along these routes during peak periods,” she said.
