Traffic issues top agenda

Candidates put forward ideas

RENEWED calls for free peak-hour public transport are among political hopefuls’ proposed solutions to crippling traffic south of Hobart.

Metro Tasmania has offered free bus travel in the Hobart urban area until February 22 to ease congestion during the busy back-to-school period, but only before 7am.

Richard Griggs, an independent candidate for the state Upper House seat of Nelson, said Metro bus travel should be made free during peak hour to encourage commuters to leave their cars at home.

But Madeleine Ogilvie, also contesting Nelson as an independent, said “major engineering solutions” such as a city bypass should be considered to alleviate congestion.

She said up to $200 million would be needed to develop a 20-year integrated transport plan for the area, and has written to Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten calling for federal funding.

Ms Ogilvie said traffic congestion had been “absolutely top of mind for everybody” she met while doorknocking.

Blair Brownless, another independent running in Nelson, said the State Government should instead invest in improved road monitoring, such as stationing sensors at the Summerleas Rd-Huon Highway intersection.

“That information can be pushed out to commuters, who can make alternative plans,” he said.

A spokesman for the State Government said it was implementing a detailed plan to address traffic congestion across greater Hobart, including investigations into a Derwent ferry service, planning for a Southern Outlet fifth lane, and traffic light adjustments at several intersections to improve traffic flows.

“There’s no easy fix, which is why we’ve got short, medium and long-term commitments,” the government spokesman said.

Ms Ogilvie said an extra lane on the Southern Outlet alone would not alleviate traffic jams once motorists reached Macquarie and Davey streets.