By Charlene Gatt
POLITICIANS in the West have blasted the State Government for not backing the Truck Action Plan.
Footscray MP Marsha Thomson, Williamstown MP Wade Noonan and Shadow Roads Minister Jacinta Allan met at Public Reserve in Yarraville last week, nearly a month after launching a campaign to get the Government to fast track the Truck Action Plan.
Ms Thomson and Mr Noonan have sent out flyers to over 10,000 households in the West urging residents to sign a petition to get the State Government to commit to the Truck Action Plan.
More than 600 people have signed the petition.
Stage one of the project involves the construction of new ramps connecting the West Gate Freeway and Hyde Street, enhancing connectivity to the Port of Melbourne.
These ramps will face west to reduce pressure on the West Gate Bridge, while Hyde and Whitehall Streets will be upgraded and Shepherds Bridge strengthened to ensure appropriate access for heavy vehicles.
“This week, under questioning by Labor in a Parliamentary Accounts and Estimates Committee hearing, Transport Minister Terry Mulder would only say the project was under review and that no decision on the plan would be made before the end of the year,” Ms Allan said.
“The Baillieu Government says it’s aware of the truck problem in the inner-West, but is making the people of the West wait until at least the end of the year before they even make a decision on whether they will act.
“We don’t need another review of the Truck Action Plan.
“What local families want is a commitment by the Baillieu Government to reduce truck movements by between 50 and 70 per cent on Francis St and Somerville Rd in Yarraville.”
Footscray MP Marsha Thomson said residents deserved answers.
