Local residents have hailed the announcement that truck curfews will soon be enforced on Williamstown Road, but the bulk tanker industry has warned it will hit operators in the hip pocket.
On Sunday 16 November, the state government announced that a night-time and weekend no-truck zone would be implemented on Williamstown Road once the West Gate Tunnel opens next month.
The no-truck zone will be enforced on Williamstown Road between Geelong Street in Seddon and the West Gate Freeway in Yarraville on weekdays from 8pm to 6am, and over weekends from 8pm Friday to 6am Monday.
Williamstown Road will join nearby Somerville Road, Francis Street, Buckley Street, Moore Street, Blackshaws Road and Hudsons Road in having no-truck zones.
“We were absolutely elated and so relieved,” Save Willy Road campaign president Graeme Hammond said of the news.
Save Willy Road comprises local residents concerned that the opening of the West Gate Tunnel would result in even more truck traffic on Williamstown Road as drivers sought to avoid tolls on the freeway as well as truck bans on streets nearby.
While disappointed the state government waited until a month before the tunnel opened to announced the curfews, Mr Hammond said the new restrictions would help him and other Williamstown Road residents sleep at night.
“Our biggest concern was that trucks avoiding the tolls on the freeway would be roaring down Williamstown Road all night every night,” he said.
“It’ll make a huge difference.”
However, chairman of the National Bulk Tankers Association, Justin Keast, slammed the curfew, saying that along with having to pay tolls to use the new tunnel, further road closures were just another cost trucking companies would have to pass on to consumers.
“Every product on the shelf will increase as soon as the West Gate Tunnel opens, a minimum increase of $130M per annum to the residents of Victoria,” Mr Keast said, adding that it would impact safety too.
“Reducing productivity along with safety, whilst increasing everyone’s cost of living, should not be a sound outcome for any industry.“
The no-truck zones will be enforced by smart roadside cameras, with exemptions for trucks delivering groceries, parcels and other essential services.
