Residents rally against traffic plans

FOOTSCRAY — On November 21, more than 200 inner-west Melbourne residents rallied against state government plans to build a tunnel, freeway and truck route through residential areas.

The proposed Westlink tunnel and freeway would link the port to the Western Ring Road. This would affect residents in Footscray, Seddon, Kingsville, West Footscray, Tottenham, Braybrook and Sunshine.

Speakers raised concerns about increased traffic and pollution, the loss of many houses for road construction and the destruction of communities divided by major roads.

No sustainable options such as freight rail or increased public transport considered during the consultation process (set to start in 2010), making them little more than a farce.

[To contact local activist groups, visit www.nofreeway.org or .]

From GLW issue 820