Brisbane Airport Link under fire from residents, who claim narrowing of roads will funnel traffic into toll roads

DESPITE government promises that motorists would not be forced to use the Brisbane Airport Link, hundreds of metres of free laneways are being lost to the toll road.

DESPITE promises from the State Government motorists would not be forced to use the Brisbane Airport Link, hundreds of metres of free laneways are being lost to the toll road.

Local residents fear the narrowing of Lutwyche and Gympie roads to two lanes in several places will create bottlenecks and "funnel" traffic into the link.

The main area of concern is Gympie Rd inbound near Stafford Rd where one of the existing three lanes is set to become a dedicated entry lane to Airport Link.

Brisconnections has denied motorists are being shortchanged, claiming capacity will increase to four lanes - including two lanes of free road, and two lanes of toll road.

Elsewhere, Gympie Rd will narrow from three to two lanes then back again creating bottlenecks outbound after Stafford Road, and inbound at Chalk St through to Albion Rd.

Truro St at Lutwyche - which currently offers an extra lane inbound will close - and Lutwyche Rd outbound will remain two lanes from Albion Rd to Thistle St.

Kedron resident Michael Brown said it had been of concern to locals for three years that changes would be made.

"We were given assurances by all parties that there would be no funnelling of traffic nor would there be any net loss of surface. It now appears the opposite is the case," said Mr Brown.

Another area of concern to residents is the Stafford Rd portal to Airport Link where one of the two lanes continues into the toll road at Clarence Rd, giving motorists little opportunity to opt out.

Anastasia Dick said the "trouser-leg" design would only confuse motorists and send anyone unfamiliar with the area unwittingly into the tunnel.

"You're coming over a rise and suddenly one lane splits into two. You've only got one lane that remains a dedicated free-use surface lane," Ms Dick said.

The changes are at odds with assurances provided by former premier Peter Beattie in 2006 and more recently Member for Stafford and Minister for Employment Stirling Hinchliffe.

In March 2010, Mr Hinchliffe stated "we won't be doing any funnelling or any processes that are pushing people into the tunnel network".

It followed Mr Beattie's declaration "there will be no road closures, no lane closures and no funnelling of traffic on to toll roads".

Airport Link is expected to carry tolls of $3.56 and $4.75 depending on the sections used.