NRMA “harps on” about port access roads

The National Roads and Motorists Association of New South Wales is stepping up pressure on the NSW government to ease congestion on Sydney's roads and those particularly serving Sydney Airport and Port Botany.

At a breakfast press conference in a hotel overlooking the busy toll booths at the southern end of the Sydney Harbour bridge in early April, NRMA board member Gary Punch called on the government to immediately start planning the F6 extension from Loftus in Sydney's south to the Sydney airport.

“Building this extension is critical; roads already congested with heavy trucks from Port Botany will worsen as a result of the current port expansion,” he said. “This is a major set piece for the NRMA. We are determined to keep harping on about it to see that the right decisions are made so traffic congestion is eased.”

Equally important is the M4 extension, he said.

“One quarter of all freight from Port Botany heads to Parramatta and Blacktown local government areas. Little wonder the M5 East and M5 is a car park.

“A large part of the M5 motorway runs through the NRMA region I represent. I can tell you first hand that the public wants something done now.

“The M4 extension from the end of the M4 to Port Botany will provide a clear route for freight and motorists and ease congestion around the M5 tunnel,” he said.

Punch said this proposal became “a political hot potato” during the recent NSW state election and “sadly both the government and opposition distanced themselves from the idea.

“As Sydney grows and as our ports and airport expand we will be left with no choice but to build the M4 extension. But we need to act now.

“We have seen what the benefits of a well built freeway can have on traffic flow and productivity in Western Sydney with the opening of the Westlink M7. While it is still early days the Lane Cove tunnel is playing its part too.”

Punch said the NRMA surveyed voters just before the recent state election and almost 80% said that transport issues would help determine how they vote. “They have voted so now it's time to take action.”

Other key projects the NRMA believes provide a major part of the solution that will ease the traffic congestion in Sydney are connecting the F3 to the M2 and development of the Northern beaches transport corridor.

“Connecting the M2 or M7 to the F3 will significantly reduce the amount of traffic congestion that currently clogs major roads in Sydney's north-west. People who got caught in the pre and post Easter traffic leaving Sydney's north, would understand the importance of getting this road built. Not to mention the daily delays experienced by commuter and freight traffic.

The NRMA also sees the Northern transport corridor as a key priority.

“We believe the solution is a combination of upgraded roads, better public transport options, better engineering solutions and more efficient use of existing resources to allow the lower North Shore to better cope with peak-hour traffic congestion.

“An example of this is NRMA's support for the weekend clearway on part of Military Rd introduced last year.”

Business hurt by traffic congestion 57% of Sydney businesses have seen their fleets spend up to four hours longer in traffic each week, according to new research conducted by NRMA's BusinessWise.

The survey of 175 BusinessWise members found that more than 80% of businesses had seen traffic congestion increase over the last 12 months.

The survey found that 12% of businesses have seen their annual operating costs increase by as much as $20,000 because of the extra time they are forced to spend on the road.

BusinessWise provides roadside assistance and member benefits including fuel advice and discounts to more than 18,000 businesses in NSW and the ACT.

“The state election has come and gone and this survey highlights that the State Government needs to get serious about fixing Sydney's traffic problems,” NRMA CEO Tony Stuart said. “This survey highlights yet another casualty of Sydney's traffic problems as it is clear that it is costing businesses a lot of money.

“As a company set up to reach members broken down in traffic and get them moving again as quickly as possible, we understand the implications traffic congestion can have on a company's ability to service its clients.

“Traffic congestion during peak hours means that it takes our patrols 1.5 minutes or 12.5% longer to get to a broken down vehicle than it did a year ago. As a result, we are forced to put additional patrols on the road so that we can get to our members sooner.”

The survey found that traffic congestion had increased fuel consumption 60% and operating costs 47%, decreased staff punctuality 42% and slowed productivity 33%.

NRMA Director, Gary Punch, said more than one-quarter (27%) of businesses surveyed have been forced to make changes to their operations to deal with traffic congestion.

“Overwhelmingly, our members have been forced to restructure the way they do business to deal with this threat,” Mr Punch said.

“Businesses are now starting the day earlier and finishing later so that their fleet vehicles don't get caught in traffic. Others have told us that they have been forced to pass the additional cost on to their customers.”