Freight and transport industry groups agree there is a need for access ramps from the Sydney Gateway link to the Cooks River inter-modal hub. This morning they released a joint statement calling for the access ramps to be reinstated.
The initial design for the Gateway circulated by Roads and Maritime Services included these ramps, but they were removed from an updated design due to “cost concerns” without consultation.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance has now ignored months of submissions for freight industry groups and seems to be playing ‘three wise monkeys’ – see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil by refusing to meet and consult with the freight and transport industry.
What were they thinking? Restricting road access to an inter-modal terminal is counter to the State Government’s stated aim of getting more freight onto rail.
These ramps are important for road safety. Without them the Mascot residents will have to contend with thousands of heavy vehicle movements a day through their local roads.
This matter will be a subject of discussion at the ALC and ATA Supply Chain Safety Summit starting in Sydney this morning.