The Department of Transport and Planning (DTP) have asked the City to complete the trial. This is in response to concerns raised by local residents about heavy vehicles using Howard Street near Epsom Primary School and during busy morning and afternoon traffic.

Before making any decisions, the City wants to hear about the possible benefits and impacts of the trial for residents, businesses, freight operators, school families and other road users. Feedback will help determine how a trial could affect the community and inform any future decision on whether it should proceed.

The proposed trial would restrict heavy vehicles (eight tonne gross vehicle mass and above) from accessing Howard Street between Midland Highway and Goynes Road on the Epsom truck route between:

• 8am to 9:30am

• 2:30pm to 4pm

• Monday to Friday

If the trial goes ahead the restrictions would apply only during these times. Outside these times, heavy vehicles could continue to use Howard Street as normal.

The selected times match periods of increased traffic activity, including school drop-off and pick-up times and peak commuter travel periods.

Residents have expressed concerns about the interaction between heavy vehicles, local traffic, pedestrians and cyclists during these times. The proposed trial would help determine if restricting heavy vehicles during these times could improve safety and traffic impacts for the local community.

The trial may affect different people in different ways.

Possible Benefits

• Reduce the number of heavy vehicles during busy times

• Improve how safe people feel around schools and local streets

• Reduce noise and traffic impacts for nearby residents

Possible Impacts

• Increased heavy vehicle traffic on other routes

• Increased travel times and costs for freight operators and businesses

If the trial proceeds, heavy vehicles would likely continue along the Midland Highway and access the truck route via Lyons Street, White Hills during the restricted times.

If the trial goes ahead, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) would be responsible for overseeing and enforcing the restrictions.

The NHVR oversees and enforces heavy vehicle access and compliance requirements across Victoria.

Anyone who lives, works, studies, or regularly travels through the area can read the proposal and share their views through the survey.

Feedback will help the City and DTP understand how the trial may affect the community. The information collected will be used to help decide whether the trial should go ahead.