Action for Public Transport (N.S.W.) Inc.

Dear Editor,

The Minister for Roads is being evasive on his plans for duplicating Iron Cove Bridge, further eroding his questionable credibility. There is an obvious inter-relationship between the Victoria Road plans and the proposed M4East motorway. He and the RTA are fully aware of that inter-dependency but never mention it. Is that why he refuses to release Victoria Road traffic projections? He and the RTA also refuse to acknowledge the phenomenon of induced traffic; more roads attracting more cars.

One thing we can be sure of is that the minister's focus is on re-election in 2011. Any new bridge could be opened just before that election. Is it just possible that his enthusiasm for the duplicated bridge is a net for snaring frustrated motorists' votes?

There is a more responsible solution, seeded in your editorial of 22 April 2008. Immediately speed up the buses by effective policing of the Victoria Road Transit Lane. Then, in the short term, convert the Transit Lane to a bus lane, saving police resources by using electronic surveillance. Simultaneously exploit the full benefits of the bus option with satellite car-bus interchanges and an attractive fare regime. Longer term, bring forward the opening of the North West Metro railway, which lies in the same corridor.

Finally minister, end the RTA's build-more-roads monopoly on transport planning in this city.

Yours sincerely, etc.

Our letter was not published but the Herald ran four other letters in a similar vein on 10 July.