MARIBYRNONG council is renewing its push for an expansion of truck curfews through residential streets in Footscray and Yarraville.
Mayor Catherine Cumming says the council supports the VicRoads campaign to improve compliance with existing curfews, but it wants the weekend curfew extended to include Saturdays.
It also wants curfews to be introduced in Moore Street, Footscray.
Yarraville night and weekend truck curfews were introduced on Somerville Road in 2001 and in Francis Street in 2002.
Trucks heavier than 4.5 tonnes are banned from the residential roads from 8pm to 6am, Monday to Saturday, and 1pm on Saturday to 6am, Monday, other than on local business.
“Most truck drivers do the right thing, but the trucks that break the curfew cause problems for our residents,” Cr Cumming said.
VicRoads regional director Patricia Liew said a recent enforcement blitz showed reduced numbers of trucks breaching restrictions.
Nine trucks were booked on Francis Street and Somerville Road over three nights of enforcement earlier this month as part of a campaign that began with improving education and signage.
Cr Cumming said the council would continue urging the state and federal governments to fund solutions to reduce the numbers of trucks in the inner west.
“A congested West Gate Bridge means 20,000 trucks use our residential streets each day as there is no other way to get to the port.
‘‘It’s clear that the east-west tunnel works should be started in the west,” she said.
