Article: Extra 1.4 million cars in 20 years

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From the Herald Sun click here!

Extra 1.4 million cars in 20 years

Extra 1.4 million cars in 20 years

    * Ashley Gardiner
    * From: Herald Sun
    * March 23, 2011 12:00AM

VICTORIA'S congested roads will need to cope with an extra 1.4 million cars within 20 years.

Car ownership is predicted to grow in Australia by 5.5 million in that period, a study by The Economist Intelligence Unit has found.

But soaring fuel prices, and better public transport, could see those predictions reined in.

The EIU is the same group that ranks the world's most livable cities - in which Melbourne is rated second behind Vancouver.

RACV public policy manager Brian Negus said road and public transport infrastructure needed to be improved and integrated in order to cope.

"We clearly need some major freeway and public transport projects," he said.

These included a link from CityLink to the Eastern Freeway, and from the Eastern Freeway to the Metropolitan Ring Road.

Public transport priorities included the proposed rail tunnel from Footscray to Caulfield, bus and tram improvements, and level crossing removal.

Public Transport Users Association president Daniel Bowen said people would keep driving if they had no alternative.

"We see that every day in outer suburban Melbourne, where most people have no other option," Mr Bowen said.

He said 1.4 million more cars would mean chaotic road conditions seven days a week.

"The key to avoiding it is providing an alternative so they don't have to drive," he said.

"It should be clear, in any big city, you can't efficiently move people around in their cars.

"The Government needs to invest more in public transport right across Melbourne."