By Charlene Gatt
A NEW community action group will block one of Footscray’s busiest intersections later this month to protest against increasing truck traffic through the suburb.
Less Trucks for Moore will block the Moore and Hopkins St intersection for half an hour from 8am on 26 October out of frustration about increasing truck traffic on Moore St and Buckley St in Footscray.
Traffic counts completed by the council and VicRoads in March this year show freight on Moore St has skyrocketed 47 per cent in the last year between the hours of 8pm and 6am, with an average 479 trucks roaring down the residential street each night.
Trucks are also increasingly using Moore St during daylight hours, with figures up 25 per cent from last year.
On Buckley St, nearly 3000 trucks roar through each day, up 30 per cent from last year.
Less Trucks for Moore is calling for night curfews on Moore and Buckley streets Monday to Friday and a 24-hour curfew on weekends.
The group also wants a 50kmh speed limit on both streets, bans on the use of air horns and engine brakes and air quality tests on both streets.
Less Trucks for Moore president Andres Pineros said residents need immediate short term relief from the increasing truck traffic.
“It’s time something was done; time for action,” Mr Pineros said.
“There’s been so much talk for years and the problem has just been getting worse.
“Other streets in this area have curfews so why are trucks allowed to use the streets of Footscray without restriction? This has to change.”
The group is hosting a community meeting this Wednesday from 7.30pm at Angliss Neighbourhood House, 2/11 Vipont St, Footscray.
