Truck access urged

IF BENDIGO is to reach its full potential, there must be easier access to industrial areas, trucking companies say.Former chairman of the Bendigo Manufacturers Group Neil Sammons said there was also the potential to upgrade the Alternate Calder Highway up to Marong, but this was a very long-term goal.Mr Sammons said the group had an interest in the Bendigo Road Transport Strategy, which is being developed by the City of Greater Bendigo and VicRoads.He said a route linking the Calder Highway to industrial areas would also benefit heavy trucks.“We’d also like to see an extension of Victa Road to the Midland Highway.“The problems for us are big trucks squeezing around corners and roundabouts.“Obviously we’d like to see less big traffic squeezing in with smaller traffic, and minimise the amount of trucks in the city centre.“The road system needs to be improved for heavy traffic if the city is going to grow to its full potential.”Pickering Transport Group’s Alastair Mitton said the road issues facing Bendigo were the same as all regional cities.“It’s got multiple speed zones and limited access to loading areas,” he said.“The main road through Bendigo is really compressed. “One arterial ring road would be of great benefit.”Mr Mitton said Bendigo was unique because the industrial zones were so fragmented.“Unfortunately, it’s a historic town and it wasn’t built for commercial vehicles,” he said.“For a truck it’s just a hard town to get through. “Ballarat is the opposite - it has wide roads and a ring road.”The Bendigo Road Transport Strategy will replace the Bendigo 2020 Transportation study that was adopted in 1993.A draft strategy is expected to be completed by the middle of this year and the strategy should be finished by the end of the year.On Tuesday, a community information day will be held at The Capital from 10am to 8pm, at which issues and concerns can be raised with representatives from VicRoads and the City of Greater Bendigo.