RACT calls for traffic action

QUICK action is needed on fixes the Government has already identified to bust Hobart’s traffic congestion, the state’s top motoring organisation says.

The RACT call came after a major traffic snarl on the Southern Outlet on Monday left commuters backed up as far as Margate.

There are three plans for dealing with Hobart traffic congestion. The Liberal Party launched a Hobart Transport Vision last year, as well as the Greater Hobart Traffic Solution. Among the promises were a fifth lane on the Southern Outlet, a Derwent River Ferry Service, bus priority lanes, traffic incident response team and a Future Hobart Transport Master Plan. None has been implemented.

The RACT has also produced a detailed 30-year Greater Hobart Mobility Vision, which has not been adopted by the Government.

RACT executive general manager membership and community Stacey Pennicott said there were obvious shortterm improvements in each of the plans which would help reduce congestion.

“What RACT is concerned about is that we’re not seeing delivery time frames,” she said.

“We believe there are a number of things that could take place quickly, not with significant investment, but with a will to get things done.”

Labor’s David O’Byrne said the Government’s route to reducing congestion had been paved with glossy brochures.

“They put out all these glossy brochures but they add up to zip,” he said. “It’s a cynical exercise. They say this is a government who commits to their promises and follows through. People want action.

“People don’t just want announcements where they say ‘we’re listening and we understand’. They want ‘we listen, we understand, we’re doing something about it’.”

Mr O’Byrne said there were plenty of quick fixes which could be put in place.

“Getting some action on park and ride, a tow truck on the Southern Outlet, some technology and some realtime data, some signage like on the major highways in Melbourne and Sydney. There’s a whole lot of information you can give to the travelling public. It’s about giving people options and information.”

Newly appointed Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael Ferguson said the Government planned to implement an Incident Management Plan to quickly respond to congestion-causing incidents. He said an on-site tow truck service would be considered for the Southern Outlet.