Hobsons Bay council is likely to ask VicRoads to impose a formal truck curfew in Spotswood, with trucks that have been banished from Yarraville moving into the neighbouring suburb.
Cr Paul Morgan told last week’s council meeting there had been more truck traffic in Spotswood since VicRoads started clamping down on trucks breaking curfews in surrounding areas.
“A council truck curfew is in place on Hudsons Road, Spotswood, and apparently since some other truck curfew enforcement activities have been taking place in other areas … the amount of trucks travelling down Hudson Road at night has increased dramatically,” Cr Morgan said.
VicRoads implemented evening and weekend truck curfews on sections of Francis Street and Somerville Road more than 10 years ago. About 6000 trucks use Francis Street every day.
Three years ago, Hobsons Bay council changed the Hudsons Road curfew to match restrictions in Francis Street.
Truck drivers have been ignoring the Hobsons Bay curfews, which are not enforceable by law.
Council infrastructure and city services director Sherry Clarke recommended that truck traffic and speed counts be undertaken in Hudsons Road, with a view to asking VicRoads to impose a formal curfew.
Inner west freight traffic could worsen dramatically, with the port’s annual volumes forecast to double to five million containers by 2025.
