Hoddle St traders say 24/7 clearway will put them out of business

TRADERS on a notorious Melbourne arterial road say the push for a 24-hour clearway will send them broke and have little impact on traffic flows outside the morning peak.

Hoddle St traders Brendan Jupp and Graham Slattery angry at proposed 24/7 clearway. Picture: Alex Coppel.

HODDLE St traders say the push for a 24-hour clearway on Melbourne’s notorious arterial road will ruin businesses and have little impact on traffic flows outside the morning peak.

Businesses between Gipps and Langridge streets say they need daytime parking to survive and the one-size-fits-all approach does not work.

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VicRoads has launched a major project to streamline Hoddle St and Punt Rd, including a $60 million upgrade of four intersections, and extended clearway times — usually for buses.

But Brendan Jupp, manager of Eagle Leather, which has been on the eastern side of Hoddle St for 24 years, said no consideration had been given to retail zones.

“It leaves me speechless that they can do this to small businesses,’’ Mr Jupp said.

“Traffic is simply not a problem after morning peak. There’s one rule for all of Hoddle St, but there’s lots of sections, and so this is really unnecessary.

“And even are the buses are half empty so it just doesn’t make sense.’’

Mr Jupp fears many businesses may have to move and break long-term leases.

Also on the strip is Solway, which sells clothes to large men who often, by necessity, need to park nearby.

Proprietor Graham Slattery knows Hoddle St needs to be improved.

“But what we are saying is there are six different parts of this street.’’

Hoddle St traders Brendan Jupp and Graham Slattery are angry at the state government’s 24/7 clearway proposal. Picture: Alex Coppel

He was also concerned about the impact on people who use two community halls and St Philip’s Anglican Church, which often held funerals for hundreds of people.

Mr Slattery said the area was an enclave of diversity that should be preserved.

“This will have a dramatic impact on a large number of businesses.’’

Mr Jupp questioned the length of the two-month consultation period, which ends on November 5.

Roads Minister Luke Donnellan said Hoddle St was gridlocked not just in peak hours, but throughout the day and often on weekends.

“These upgrades are about getting the most out of the road we’ve got, giving the more than 300,000 drivers that use Hoddle St every day longer green lights, shorter queues and a more reliable journey,” Mr Donellan said.

“We’re talking to local traders and residents about how we can make better use of parking in surrounding streets.’’

Brendan Jupp says a 24/7 clearway doesn’t make sense. Picture: Supplied

Yarra councillor Stephen Jolly said the state government was pretending to be doing something about public transport at the expense of local businesses.

“Instead of building the Doncaster rail link, they’re subsidising empty buses on Hoddle St,’’ Cr Jolly said.

RACV public policy manager Bryce Prosser said the organisation had always advocated for 24/7 clearways with busways along Hoddle St.

“Clearways on major arterial roads ensure the best economic use of road space, however each of these decisions need to be made on a case-by-case basis,” Mr Prosser said.

VicRoads director of metropolitan projects Brendan Pauwels said the local community had been extensively consulted about extending clearways along the Hoddle St and Punt Rd corridor.

“The existing clearway operating times vary significantly along the corridor and this disrupts traffic flow and causes congestion, particularly during the morning and afternoon peaks and on weekends,’’ Mr Pauwels said.

“The proposed 24-hour clearways would improve traffic flow and provide more reliable journeys along this busy corridor.’’

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