Article: 'Airport rail link must be a priority': RACV

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From the Melbourne Age click here!

'Airport rail link must be a priority': RACV

'Airport rail link must be a priority': RACV
April 18, 2011 - 8:24AM

Easing congestion on Victorian roads and improving road safety must be at the top of the state government's agenda when it delivers its first budget in May, Victoria's peak motoring body says.

To achieve this, the government needs to adopt a long-term, integrated transport plan involving road and public transport projects, the RACV says.

Congestion cost Victorians $3 billion a year and the figure is predicted to double by 2020, the RACV said.

''Congestion on Victorian roads is impacting greatly on the ability of road users to get where they need to go in a reasonable time,'' RACV general manager Brian Negus said today.

''It's causing enormous frustration and really crippling our state. It also increases costs to Victorian businesses which are then being passed on to consumers.''

Mr Negus said key projects included a high-speed rail link from Southern Cross Station to Melbourne Airport and improvements to Hoddle Street and the metropolitan rail system as well as an east-west link from Eastern Freeway to the Western Ring Road.

He called for upgrades to rural roads and a consistent approach to setting speed limits.

''There has been too much reliance in the past on lowering speed limits as a quick fix for road safety but that has created enormous problems for road users, significantly increasing travel times for those moving around Melbourne,'' he said.

He said key rural projects included the Shepparton Bypass and duplication of parts of the Western and Princes highways.

''The projects required to improve roads and public transport over the next two decades must be planned now,'' he said.

''A detailed implementation plan must be put in place to ensure these projects are delivered over this period.''

AAP