Trialling of large combination vehicles in metro area

25/3/93

Plans are nearing completion for evaluating the feasibility of allowing selected large combination vehicles into parts of the Perth metropolitan area under controlled conditions to deliver direct to terminals.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton said there were growing misconceptions about the plan which was designed to test technical and safety aspects of bringing large combination vehicles into the metropolitan area.

"These tests will be strictly controlled by Main Roads and police," he said.

"Selected trucks will be allowed into certain parts of the metropolitan area on designated routes under full escort.

"We are trying to determine if certain routes can be made accessible to these vehicles.

"If viable, it will lead to reduced costs for the transport industry and Western Australian producers.  There will be less heavy traffic on the roads as well, which means less taxpayers' money has to be diverted to road maintenance.

"It is mischievous of the Opposition to be scaring the public on this issue, and its spokesman on transport John Halden is wrong in asserting that William Street in Beckenham had been chosen for the tests."

Mr Charlton said it was obvious from Mr Halden's statements that he was not aware of the facts of the issue.  Consequently, he had invited Mr Halden to an informal briefing on the tests.

The technical tests would involve one vehicle travelling five recommended routes.

There are two routes into the Midland saleyards:

·         via Great Northern highway into Bishop Street and Lloyd Street; and

·         via Great Northern Highway, Roe Highway on to Great Eastern Highway by-pass into Stirling Road.

The third route is into Kewdale freight terminal via West Swan Road, Gnangara Road, Beechboro Road, Tonkin Highway, Kewdale Road and Dowd Street.

The fourth is along Albany Highway and southwards along South West Highway into Thomas Road to the Johnson Road holding yard.

The fifth designated route is along Thomas Road and Rockingham Road to CSBP in Kwinana.

Each vehicle would be under escort and allowed to approach the speed limit only in areas deemed safe to do so.

"I emphasise that these are trials to test technical and safety aspects of operating these vehicles in parts of the metropolitan area," Mr Charlton said.

"Information collected by Main Roads will be evaluated and I will make a decision then as to whether there will be more extensive controlled trials.

"I am aware of concerns raised by some local government authorities and they can be assured I will involve them in consultations if we proceed to more extensive testing."

Media contact: Dean Roberts 222 9595