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A DECADE after truck curfews were introduced to provide peace and quiet for Yarraville residents, their impact is being questioned.
This week in Parliament, Williamstown MP Wade Noonan will call for Roads Minister Terry Mulder to review the truck curfews in the inner-west.
Curfews ban trucks in Francis Street and Somerville Road from 8pm-6am, Monday to Saturday, and 1pm-6am, Saturday to Monday.
Trucks with a local origin or destination are exempt.
Mr Noonan’s proposed review calls for reconsidered curfew hours; penalties for drivers and, perhaps, operators; questions VicRoads’ ability to enforce curfews and whether police should help; and looks at other roads in need of restrictions, including Moore and Buckley streets in Footscray.
VicRoads data shows that since truck curfews were introduced in 2002, traffic on Francis Street has dropped by more than half during the designated hours. Yet truck traffic over a 24-hour period on Francis Street has increased.
Truck numbers on non-curfew streets such as Moore Street have doubled since 2006.
Maribyrnong Truck Action Group’s Martin Wurt labelled curfews a Band-Aid solution.
“During curfew hours the trucks are forced down even more unsuitable residential streets, like Buckley and Moore streets.
“Existing curfews should be all weekend so people can enjoy their backyards and their children can play without worrying about safety or what they’re breathing in.”
VicRoads regional director Nial Finegan said the annual truck curfew study would start Monday, for one week.
“Last year, VicRoads monitored truck curfew compliance for 351 hours on Somerville Road, and 172 hours on Francis Street.
“Fifty-two infringement notices, with a $122 penalty each, were issued for truck curfew offences on Somerville Road, and 27 on Francis Street. VicRoads doesn’t issue notices to trucking companies; it’s a driver offence only,” he said.
