Petition about long vehicle trials misinformed

22/11/94

Glaring errors in fact contained in a petition to State Parliament over long vehicle trials in the Armadale area showed that the authors were either mischievous or misinformed, Transport Minister Eric Charlton told the Legislative Council today.

"Residents of Armadale were asked to sign a petition calling on the Government to reverse its decision to allow road trains up to 45 metres in length to travel along Thomas Road, South Western Highway, Bedfordale Hill Road and Albany Highway," Mr Charlton said.

"There has been no thought whatsoever to allowing 45-metre road trains to travel within the metropolitan area.

"Vehicles in excess of 36.5 metres can travel only as far south as Wubin and operate on a limited number of isolated rural roads.

"The trial vehicles for the movement of fertiliser over the route in question, which does not include Bedfordale Hill Road, have a maximum length of 27.5 metres and can only operate empty down Bedfordale Hill on Albany Highway.

"These vehicles are the same length as the B-double truck and trailer combinations which have been using the same route since the mid-1980s.

"Bedfordale Hill Road was never considered as an option for the trial - it is too steep and winding and only a limited type of vehicle can negotiate it safely."

Mr Charlton said it was very concerning that people were signing their names to a petition that contained such blatant errors.

"The signatories to the petition now have the misconception that 45 metre road trains are operating in the metropolitan area and down Bedfordale Hill Road," he said.

"It is this type of irresponsible and emotive behaviour that has been the hallmark of the Opposition campaign against the trials, and one can only wonder at who is the author of this misinformation."

Mr Charlton said that since the fertiliser trial began several weeks ago, there had been more than 50 long vehicle permits issued by Main Roads and the trips into the Kwinana fertiliser works were completed without incident or adverse comment from the public.

Similarly, the trial involving livestock road trains into the Midland saleyards had seen more than 400 movements without incident or public complaint.

"It is important to recognise that one long combination vehicle carries the same pay load as two semi trailers, and therefore results in less road damage, less noise and vehicle pollution and less intrusion on other road users," he said.

"By allowing these vehicles direct access to fertiliser outlets at Kwinana, the number of heavy vehicle movements to complete the task for one season will be reduced by 27 per cent, or 1,600 vehicle trips.

"The Midland trial has replaced 800 semi trailer movements, and the added benefit of operating at restricted times of the day and at strict speed limits provides significant safety improvements for other road users, including local school traffic."

Media contact:  Dean Roberts 321 7333