As outlined in The Age and Fully Loaded media, the Maribyrnong Truck Action Group (MTAG) plans to blockade Shepherd Bridge, Footscray (Footscray Road crossing of the Maribyrnong River into Napier Street, west of the Port of Melbourne) from 8am next Tuesday, 27 November 2012.
FTA has liaised with the Victorian Transport Association (VTA) and has received further detail that this action is a planned protest about truck traffic in the Inner West and the perceived lack of action by the Victorian Government to deliver solutions - see: www.mtag.org.au.
The following detail was released by the VTA and made available to FTA subscribers:
The VTA and the TWU met with Victoria Police (North West Metro Region, Footscray Police Complex) and VicRoads' Transport Safety Services (TSS) to be briefed on plans to manage the protest (public safety), and to help to divert heavy vehicles and commuter traffic away from the blockade.
The following points arose at the briefing:
- Victoria Police is having "strong discussions" with MTAG representatives to ensure minimum traffic disruption. The planned blockade is for 30 minutes (from 8am) - Police are trying to reduce this further in consultation with MTAG. Clear assurances have been given to Police by MTAG organisers that they will follow the instructions of Police. Police have "powers to remove" protesters if required, but they do not want to get to that point.
- As MTAG has given notice to Police about the protest, the Police have been able to roster on more resources to manage public safety and traffic diversions on the day.
-The meeting discussed alternative routes for heavy vehicle access to the West. Attached is a copy of a map with planned diversion routes, and Police (and VicRoads) assistance in controlling intersections.
- The only blocked route during the protest will be at the corner of Whitehall Street and Napier Street (no east-bound access across the Bridge), and at the east end of Shepherd Bridge (blocking west-bound access accross the River).
- Police and VicRoads officers will be present on the corner of Whitehall Street (Docklands Hwy) and Hopkins Street; at the intersection of Dynon Road and Sims Street (the loop back under Hopkins Street Bridge); on Sims Street under Shepherd Bridge; on the corner of Dynon Road and Dock Link Road; and at the Footscray Road and Docklink Road intersection. These are marked as car symbols on the attached map.
- VTA has also asked Police to monitor the T-intersection at Mackenzie Road and Coode Road within the Port of Melbourne as more trucks will need to exit the Port precinct via Dock Link Road as the west bound loop from Sims Street accessing Shepard Bridge will be blocked.
- VicRoads will be deploying Variable Message Signs the day before the protest to alert motorists and truck drivers to the planned blockade.
- An alternative route from Footscray Road for trucks heading west will be along Dock Link Road then left into Dynon Road. Whitehall Street south-bound will not be blocked, nor will Hopkins Street and Moore Street west, then north-bound. The restriction is the height of the Dynon Road Rail Bridge with a posted height clearance of 4.4 metres.
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During the blockade, and for the period of traffic recovery after the protesters have been told to finish the blockade, it would be advisable to route trucks away from the area, including east-bound along Footscray Road away from the Swanson/Dynon precinct and via the Bolte Bridge and Westgate Freeway for access to the West, North and to the East of Metropolitan Melbourne.
The VTA continues to call on MTAG to abandon the planned blockade, which will cause more grief to the residents of Footscray and Yarraville trying to go about their daily lives than it may do to the transport industry. It has been suggested that MTAG should take its protest to the steps of Parliament House, rather than cause traffic disruption during a busy peak period.
See these comments published in a response provided by the VTA to the Maribyrnong Leader newspaper - Maribyrnong Leader Article 20 Nov 2012
The VTA will keep members informed as matters develop. Meanwhile, comments or queries can be directed to the undersigned, or to John Gilbert at the VTA - john@vta.com.au.
Regards,
Neil Chambers
Chief Executive Officer