Wyndham City will be installing ‘no stopping’ signs for trucks in hot spot areas in Truganina.
‘No stopping’ signs are already in place on Bolivar Esplanade and Elmhurst Road, Truganina.
Additional signs will be installed further along Bolivar Esplanade, from Elmhurst Road to Sayers Road, more signs will also be installed further along Elmhurst Road, from the Bolivar Esplanade/Elmhurst Road intersection up to Palmers Road. Sedgefield Avenue, located between Bolivar Esplanade and Palmers Road will also have ‘no truck parking’ signage installed.
The recommendation for increased signage results from an audit in September of trucks being parked in the area overnight on the road, and in indented parking bays along the side of the road.
The audit found that several trucks were parking in these areas and putting residents, pedestrians and cyclists, at risk.
Wyndham City’s Community Safety portfolio holder Cr Susan McIntyre said the trucks placed the safety of residents at risk when they obscured the line of sight of drivers who back out of their driveways into street traffic.
“The audit report also found there was reduced visibility of children and adults who need to cross the street in front of the stationary trucks,” she said.
“It also found that Bolivar Esplanade provides an on-road cycle lane in each direction.
“Given heavy vehicles are wider, cyclists may be forced to swerve to the right – into the traffic lane to ride past them – increasing the likelihood of cyclists being hit by cars in the traffic lane.”
“There’s also the potential that truck drivers can open doors into on coming cyclists as there’s a limited buffer between the trucks and cyclists.”
“Additionally, the side-view mirror of a parked truck partly encroaches the western cycle lane at almost the same height a rider would be located, which may result in cyclists colliding with side view mirrors of trucks.”
She added that trucks, often used for freight and commercial services, pose a safety risk to residents, put pressure on road infrastructure and contribute to air and noise pollution when air brakes are used and when engines are left idling prior to start up.
“We appreciate that truck drivers have a business and a livelihood to maintain but they need to park legally, act responsibly and be considerate of neighbours – heavy and long trucks were not designed to be parked in residential streets.”
“The trucks may also damage local road infrastructure due to weight and size.”
“Drivers should consider ‘park and drive’ options to park their vehicle overnight at heavy and long vehicle, secure parking facilities. Drivers interested in these options should contact Council.”
Council is in the process of notifying abutting properties and ordering signage to ensure installation as soon as possible.
Current expectation is four to six weeks however will depend on supply timelines. The area will be monitored by parking officers and electronic signage will be going up to provide prior notification of the upcoming signage.
Residents can report instances of heavy and long vehicles parked along residential streets via Council’s customer service portal https://wyndham.custhelp.com/
