Western Sydney in grid lock thanks to Labor
Traffic jam
by StreetCorner
27/10/2009
Shadow Minister for Roads Andrew Stoner today criticised the Rees Labor Government for their failure to plan for Sydney’s transport network, following reports that the removal of the toll on the M4 motorway will further increase congestion on Sydney’s roads. A Liberal & Nationals Government will scrap the Rozelle Metro and build rail links to the South West and North West of Sydney. An Auditor-General’s Report released today has found that congestion in Sydney will get worse with the number of vehicles using the M4 in peak periods set to increase by 25 per cent, following the removal of the toll on the motorway. [1] The Auditor-General Peter Achterstraat said the removal of the toll would have a big impact on motorists, “There’ll be more cars, more congestion and it will take more time for people to get to work”. “After 14 years of Labor, roads and transport infrastructure to and from Western Sydney is a disgrace. The Auditor General is saying things will only get worse,” Mr Stoner said. “On the face of it, lifting the M4 toll should be good news for people in Western Sydney, but as usual, State Labor has botched it. “This is not about the deal that was signed in 1989, but what has been done to expand capacity on our roads and public transport network since. Since 1995, Labor hasn’t planned for Sydney’s growth. “The failure to advance the long-promised M4 East and build rail links to the South West and North West of the city has left people in Western Sydney sitting in shocking traffic. “The State Government has also been told to start informing people now of the impact the toll removal will have on people traveling to and from the city.” Mr Stoner said people in Western Sydney need change. “If elected in 2011, a Liberal& Nationals Government will implement real change for people in Western Sydney,” Mr Stoner said. “A State Government with Barry O’Farrell as Premier will scrap the Rozelle Metro, putting the money into rail links to South West and North West Sydney. This will give people a choice when it comes to getting to and from the city, as well as freeing up the roads. “People in Western Sydney and right across NSW need change as soon as possible. We are determined to deliver change for the better,” Mr Stoner said.
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Bill Cashman posts
Heavy rail for the south-west and north-west would be a great start, but a lost opportunity if done in isolation. Sydney needs a comprehensive network of heavy and light-rail, metro-spurs, and buses, and a plan to make the network accessible to everyone. As Dr Gary Glazebrook argues in his thought-provoking paper (worth a read), the key is to have a network that connects all areas, and make it easy for people to get into the network with a single distance-based fare.
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