Page 5449 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 16 November 2011
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the investigation of how from a technical perspective we could locate bus stations and stops on Adelaide Avenue at key points such as the Hopetoun Circuit intersection and the Carruthers Street bridge intersection.
Members of the Assembly would appreciate that the T2 lane on Adelaide Avenue was introduced as an interim measure to provide some relief associated with congestion on Gungahlin Drive and to provide motorists with an alternative should it suit their journey to work pattern. Those roadworks are now finished. The government is doing what it said it would do in removing the transit lane. There are obviously concerns about safety and I have outlined those as well.
On balance the government cannot see the justification for retaining the T2 lane with a relatively small number of people using it. We do have safety concerns and we have a large, high capacity road that handles large volumes of traffic pretty efficiently. So for all of those reasons the government cannot support these amendments today.
MR DOSZPOT (Brindabella) (5.43): It is almost inconceivable that we are having this debate today, a debate about a government decision to restrict the number of lanes available for car traffic along one of Canberra’s major thoroughfares.
This government has a poor track record in managing traffic and roads, as we and anyone in Canberra who has ever needed to use our roads in peak hour would know. I know that Canberra is the envy of other major city residents and that our peak hour is often referred to as peak minute, but, as those who are often stuck in traffic know, and I am one of them, it can be frustrating and costly—costly to the environment in unnecessary fumes and fuel and costly in terms of lost business and time and productivity. So any strategy to make our roads more effective and efficient should be welcomed.
Indeed the introduction of the T2 lane was welcomed. As my colleague Mr Coe highlighted, Mr Hargreaves said—Johnno, are you listening?—in 2008 in this place:
We have got additional services, additional routes, additional bus drivers; we have got priority lanes. Who was it that introduced the T2 lane, I wonder? I think it might have been my colleague Mr Corbell who did that.
Mr Hargreaves, you can now say: “Who was it who got rid of the T2? I think it might have been my colleague Mr Corbell as well.” Which is the best decision that you have ever made, Mr Corbell? I do not think it is the current one.
I note the recent release of transport options for the future. A public display was staged in this place only recently, and I know a number of people took the opportunity to come and talk about the study and the future options for transport planning. Transport for Canberra is described as:
… a new policy and action plan for the ACT that aims to reduce the overall cost of the transport system while maintaining high levels of accessibility. Providing convenient alternatives to private cars will shift transport pattern towards more use of walking, cycling and public transport. This in turn will:
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