New charges for developers who block traffic

From today, The Victorian State Government will trial new road occupancy fees aimed at property developers in an effort to alleviate congestion around building sites.

The City of Yarra is the first municipality to test the new fee structure, with private developers who occupy road space and traffic lanes on arterial roads incurring a weekly charge that is scaled to the proportion of disruption.

Currently, most local governments charge developers who set up construction equipment, scaffolding or worksites in traffic lanes. This trial extends those arrangements to cover arterial roads.

The charges will range from $1200 to $1865 per lane. The revenue received from this trial will be put towards the management and improvement of the road network. This will the development of road surveillance teams to improve worker and community safety and increased CCTV.

The trial’s aim is to encourage shorter disruptions for commuters and more considered construction methods.

“Drivers know how frustrating it is when construction clogs up road space, shutting lanes and causing bottlenecks across important routes – this trial will encourage them off the road, where possible, to keep traffic moving.”  Minister for Roads and Road Safety, Luke Donnellan, has said.

“This road occupancy trial will charge people who make a profit out of blocking important public roads and traffic lanes which should be kept free for everyone to enjoy.”

Throughout the trial, VicRoads will closely monitor the impact on the surrounding road network and the impacts of the road occupancy scheme on congestion and traffic flow.

A similar model was trialled in London which produced a noticeable 21% boost in traffic flow and a reduction in congestion. Given the positive results of the trial, Transport for London has moved forward with an ongoing lane rental scheme.

VicRoads Deputy Chief Executive Robyn Seymour has said, “Road occupancy charging has been successfully trialled in London, boosting traffic flow by 21% and reducing congestion on heavily trafficked routes where a road occupation charge is in place and we’re confident of similar positive results.”

The Victorian trial is set to last for three months.