Truck traffic to double on Williamstown Road

When the West Gate Tunnel project is completed in 2024/2025, legislated truck bans are planned for City of Maribyrnong streets - with the exception of Williamstown Road in Seddon, Kingsville and Yarraville. The ongoing problem of outdated, noisy, dirty and unsafe trucks using residential streets in the Inner West will become focussed on this largely single lane and key residential street lined with heritage homes.

The traffic projections, including a doubling of truck numbers on Williamstown Road, were contained in documents created for the Environment Effects Study (EES) by consultants GHD for the Western Distributor Authority (now the West Gate Tunnel Project). Most of the extra trucks will be those running between container parks in Tottenham/Brooklyn and the Port of Melbourne, via Sunshine Road then Williamstown Road. More info.

VicRoads has even proposed clearways outside homes to make it easier for trucks to use Williamstown Road.

Despite earlier promises by the State Government, Williamstown Road was excluded from the Maribyrnong Cleaner Freight Initiative, before the entire plan was abandoned - meaning that old, higher-polluting trucks have unrestricted use of Williamstown Road, day and night.

Why are we concerned?

  • Diesel pollution has severe health impacts on residents and children over a 200 metre fall out zone - covering a school, sports oval, tennis courts and skate park.

  • Heavy truck traffic decreases the safety of our residential street for all other users and causes traffic delays.

  • Noise pollution from oversize vehicles already wakes local residents, and vibrations already shake heritage homes night and day.

Let's remind Labor of the promises it made on getting trucks off inner west streets.

We stand for safer alternative solutions to the massive increase in truck traffic on Williamstown Road

Local residents, schools and road users require immediate protection from the imminent threats of increased air and sound pollution and dangers from heavy vehicles. We demand equality. We demand the legislation of 24-hour truck bans for Williamstown Road consistent with other key residential roads in the City of Maribyrnong, with appropriate exemptions for trucks delivering to local businesses. The solution? We are calling for upgrades of Paramount Avenue and/or Grieve Parade.

 

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