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B-Triples' proposed track through Ballarat

29/08/2008 12:39:00 AM
A SECRET map detailing a proposed B-Triple truck route through Ballarat was revealed yesterday.

Department of Transport documents leaked to the opposition plotted routes that will allow the long, heavy trucks on to the Western Fwy and highways through Rockbank, Bacchus Marsh, Ballarat, Ararat and the SA border.

Opposition transport spokesman Terry Mulder said Premier John Brumby and Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas had intended to include the map as part of Labor's transport strategy due in November, without any community consultation.

"In December 2007, Minister Pallas promised full consultation with local communities and councils about B-Triples," Mr Mulder said.

"John Brumby should tell Minister Pallas to pick up the phone and start making calls instead of treating local communities and councils like mushrooms."

Mr Mulder questioned the safety of the B-Triple trucks, which tow three trailers, can weigh up to 82 tonnes and are up to 36m long.

"B-Triples are longer and heavier than any vehicles currently operating on Victorian roads," he said.

"Motorists will require extra time to safely pass these longer B-Triples."

Spokeswoman for Minister Pallas Fiona Macrae said the leaked documents were part of a plan the government was still working on and no decisions had been made as yet.

"Options for managing Victoria's increasing road freight task are being considered in the context of the government's comprehensive transport plan for Victoria, currently being developed," she said.

"Victoria's freight task is expected to double by 2030.

"That's more TVs, DVDs and food to be moved around the state and we need to move it as efficiently as possible."

Ms Macrae said the government would continue to assess the views of the community and the industry to look at the impact of high productivity vehicles.

"Introducing these vehicles on restricted routes on our road network will actually take trucks off the road, reduce congestion and have environmental benefits as well," she said.

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Comments


Date: Newest first | Oldest first
There is another multi carriage transport mechanism that is better for the environment and lessens congestion on the highways. It is called a train. I am sure more communities would accept them than huge trucks tearing up the highways.
Posted by Fred on 29/08/2008 10:03:50 AM
What a joke. If the State Government didn't think this was contentious it would not have been kept secret. So much for an open and accountable Labor Government. The bottom line is this will make our roads unsafer. How much longer do you you think it will take on of these trucks to stop? How much longer is it going to be to overtake one of these trucks? It's just another example of the truck lobby dictating terms to this spineless government. bring on the next election, I'm never voting Labor again.
Posted by gary chien on 29/08/2008 10:46:20 AM
Good grief! Can you imagine being sandwiched between two of those going up Anthony's Cutting - no thanks!
Posted by kr on 29/08/2008 2:22:37 PM
Before they even think of having B-triples on the Western Hwy they need to upgrade it from Ballarat to the SA border. The road is a death trap.
Posted by Andrewdeby on 29/08/2008 5:48:25 PM
These triples are going to cause more accidents on our roads because of people trying to pass them and not having enough time before traffic is coming the other way. I think they should only be allowed on duel highways where they can be passed safely.
Posted by Lois Kruse on 31/08/2008 10:08:57 AM
The introduction of the B-triples will assist in increasing the income of the owners' large trucking companies at the expense of the general traveling public. If the government was serious about improving transport infrastructure they would be investing in improving the rail freight network in this state, after so many decades of decline.
Posted by Rob on 2/09/2008 9:44:20 AM
We don't live in your lovely state, we are from over the water in Tassie. We love Victoria and spend a lot of time touring either by car or by car/caravan combo so imagine how we would find these enormous rigs on the road say traveling towards Cobram /Swan Hill, Shepparton and other places. Have to say that rail freight is the real answer to these kinds of general or bulk freight. No gripe with the the truckies as a whole, it's usually nothing to do with them, it's the Captains of Industry and the governments who are to blame! Send it by rail!
Posted by Glen stewart on 6/09/2008 7:35:39 PM

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