Article: RACV back plans for underground link

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RACV back plans for underground link

RACV back plans for underground link
Article from: Herald Sun

Nick Higginbottom

March 17, 2008 12:00am

VICTORIA'S top automotive body has backed plans for a new underground rail tunnel linking Melbourne's north-south and east-west.

But the RACV  warned commuters would not support it if it brought an increase in fares.

Premier John Brumby yesterday refused to confirm reports of a proposed tunnel from Footscray to Caulfield.

He said the Government would await Sir Rod Eddington's transport report next month before taking decisions.

Mr Brumby also said final decisions on specific projects would not be made until year's end, to allow for public debate.

"A balanced transport system has good investment in roads, good investment in public transport. I think you'll see those recommendations coming from Eddington," he said.

But the RACV has called for sweeping changes to roads and public transport. Its general manager of public policy, Brian Negus, said the time had come for brave decisions.

Mr Negus wants the Eastern Freeway extended to the Western Ring Rd, intersection upgrades (including overpasses) on Hoddle St and Alexandra Pde, and big public transport infrastructure improvements.

"The Government needs to be very decisive about the road tunnel, the public transport rail tunnel and the intersection improvements," he said.

And he said the Government would be foolish to consider passing on rail tunnel costs to public transport users.

"It's very accepted with roads, but as public transport I'd imagine it wouldn't be very well accepted if it were to be 'user pays'," he said.

He said Melbourne's northeast was in dire need of more bus routes and express services. About four in five RACV members favoured a public transport upgrade, he said.

"This is not a roads versus public transport issue," he said.

"Our central point, really, is that the RACV is strongly in favour of an integrated road and public transport system.

"We haven't really had one for years. The transport facilities built in the last 30-40 years date back from the old 60s transport plan and there hasn't been a decent one since."

Mr Negus said the EastLink project, due to open mid-year, would not be the answer to Melbourne's transport woes that some claimed it would be.

"The opening of EastLink is going to bring into sharp focus the need for those other facilities, as it will increase traffic on the Eastern Freeway and elsewhere," he said.