CBD traffic proposal. By Dan Silkstone December 31, 2005
SUPPORT is gathering for a London-style congestion tax to combat central Melbourne's worsening traffic.
A tax is one of several bold suggestions put to an inquiry into the city's traffic jams.
Others include a network of cameras to police busy intersections, changes to CityLink tolling and calls for kerbside parking to be scrapped.
In September, Treasurer John Brumby asked the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission to investigate the cost of congestion and suggest solutions.
Mr Brumby allowed the commission to examine all options but one — ruling out a congestion tax such as those imposed in London and Singapore.
But submissions received by the commission show the tax idea refuses to go away. Among more than 70 proposals received from industry, councils, government bodies and members of the public, many support a tax or say the idea should be examined.
Other suggestions under consideration include:
■A proposal from toll road operator Transurban for peak and off-peak tolls for CityLink to encourage drivers to travel outside peak times.
■An RACV call for clearways on major roads throughout Melbourne, in some cases banning kerbside parking 24 hours a day.
■A police proposal for cameras at major intersections and fines for drivers who block crossings.
New figures from VicRoads confirm that traffic jams have worsened since The Age highlighted the city's congestion crisis 12 months ago, with average travel speeds in peak periods falling by 3 km/h.
The Age can also reveal that the Government is about to introduce a city-wide system giving motorists travel time information on all major roads.
The system is expected to be operating before the Commonwealth Games in March.
It will eventually feature roadside electronic signs such as those already used on the Eastern, West Gate and Monash freeways, but travel times will initially be available only through the VicRoads website.
Last year Transport Minister Peter Batchelor said a congestion tax would eventually be debated but demand would have to come "from the community" rather than be imposed by government. But despite the Government's nervousness, the submissions indicate widespread interest in a tax.
One proposal, from La Trobe University economists Harry Clarke and Andrew Hawkins, suggests an electronic cordon around the CBD, with borders at Punt Road, Victoria and Clarendon Streets and Domain Road. Cameras would be installed at 20 entry points where vehicles would be charged a tax.
