60% of community oppose Howard Street heavy vehicle ban
Council recommends against truck curfew after public consultation opposed it, but Bendigo councillors vote Monday.
Bendigo East MP Jacinta Allan had pushed for a truck curfew on Howard Street near Epsom Primary School during school drop-off and pick-up times. The trial would have banned heavy vehicles over more than eight tonnes from the street between 8am and 9.30am and 2.30pm and 4pm on weekdays.
Public feedback showed 179 supporters but 273 opposed. A council report recommends the trial not proceed, citing the operational burden on freight and business.
Supporters said it would improve safety and reduce interactions between heavy vehicles and children. The council has secured $17 million in state funding to upgrade the intersection, which was once voted the most dangerous in regional Victoria.
Councillors will vote on the truck curfew at their meeting on Monday, October 19.
- 273 respondents (60 percent)
- Opposed the trial
- 179 respondents (40 percent)
- Supported the trial
- $17 million
- State funding approved
- October 19
- Vote date
Why it mattersSchool safety at a notorious intersection hangs on what works best: a truck ban or the road upgrade itself.
AustraliaBendigo families and freight operators will wait for the council vote and upgrade timeline to see what actually improves safety at this crossing.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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