Hi all, 

Just an update, this petition has been handed to the City of Melbourne and it was tabled last Tuesday at a City of Melbourne Future Melbourne Committee Meeting, the below is part of what Nick Reece responded with at this meeting.

"So I can report to you that truck movement patterns have definitely changed following the opening of the West Gate Tunnel and the introduction of truck bans in Melbourne's inner west. We have raised these concerns with the Department of Transport and Planning, Freight Victoria and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulators. We have shared the concerns of residents that there is a believed increase in the use of Kensington Rd and Epsom Rd to access the Princes Highway by trucks. 

"Through the Transport Amenity Program, known as TAP, we are continuing to work with DTP to monitor traffic conditions. We have also contacted Freight Victoria and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulators to encourage truck users to use alternative routes and consider enforcement of those routes.

"As agreed, prior to the opening of the West Gate Tunnel with the DTP, we have been monitoring road usage. In February 2026 we collected vehicle movements at the intersection of Kensington Road and Epsom Road. The data showed an increase in traffic volume on those streets of approximately 20%, compared to June 2025. This data did not distinguish trucks versus cars, so a more detailed count is being undertaken next week, with a further count being planned by DTP after the school holidays that are upcoming. These are part of the planned monitoring.

"We have been working with DTP to explore solutions to the truck movements, which include:

• a signage strategy to help redirect heavy vehicles away from local streets;
• assessing opportunities to introduce truck curfews along Kensington and Epsom Roads;
• exploring infrastructure changes that would help deter heavy vehicles from using key local routes and intersections, keeping trucks on those major arterial roads and not being able to effectively rat‑run through the inner city suburbs which we all live in together. 

"Additional traffic counts are expected to be completed by the end of March 2026.  Once these investigations are finalised, we will be able to provide the community with clearer updates and next steps. We appreciate your patience and understanding as this important work progresses. As per the Transport Strategy, safety remains a high priority for the City of Melbourne and we will continue to advocate with DTP, Freight Victoria and National Heavy Vehicle Regulators to keep the roads of Kensington safe."

Since last Tuesday's meeting, the area has been visited by two CoM Councillors and also heads of transport and infrastructure teams from council to see the area, understand the issue further and listen to how this is impacting day to day life. 

Solutions will take time, but we are front of mind and need to continue to keep council accountable on the matter. 

Keep sharing the petition, as having more name on the register will only help in the long run if we need to present this petition again to another sector. 

Thanks