A six-month long truck ban in Geelong’s CBD will commence on March 3.
Trucks will no longer be able to use two of Geelong’s main roads after Victoria’s road transport authority approved a council recommendation for a ban on trucks.
Trucks will be stopped from using Mercer and Malop streets for six months from March 3. Over 500 trucks currently use the streets as a thoroughfare each day.
Those delivering essentials will still be allowed access while others will be encouraged to use Breakwater Road, Fyans, Ryrie and McKillop streets, Council’s Engineering Services Manager Vicki Shelton says.
“The community has long advocated for the reduction of trucks through central Geelong to make it a more pleasant place to shop, dine, walk and reside,” Shelton says.
“Council has endorsed the Central Geelong Action Plan which aims to stimulate increased development and activity in central Geelong.
“Key to this is creating a more welcoming environment for pedestrians and the six-month through truck restriction trial aims to do this,” she adds.
“Providing heavy vehicle access across the city for essential service provisions needs to be balanced with the provision of a safe attractive environment for pedestrians with levels of amenity appropriate to a major activity centre.”
Information sessions will be held on February 26 and 27 at the City Hall in Geelong.
VicRoads and the police will monitor key roads during the trial, with the Council and Truck Operations Committee making a call on permanent restrictions based on the data.