Outer suburbs new frontier for gridlock as congestion grows around new estates

Melbourne’s outer suburbs are slowing to a crawl, with drivers in areas including Point Cook taking more than half an hour to travel just 5km. See if your suburb is among the worst areas for gridlock.

Gridlocked residents in Melbourne’s outer suburbs are stuck in traffic just getting to the freeway, with trips out of some estates taking more than half an hour to travel 5km.

A Sunday Herald Sun analysis of congestion data show speeds are dropping as low as 10km/h in the morning peak as thousands of motorists in new estates crawl towards major arterials.

Population boom areas such as Point Cook, Craigieburn, Warrandyte and Pakenham are among the hardest hit.

The traffic in some new areas has become so bad that residents are leaving an hour earlier to make it to work on time.

RACV general manager of public policy Bryce Prosser said better planning was needed so that new suburbs weren’t left behind.

Population boom areas such as Point Cook, Craigieburn, Warrandyte and Pakenham are among the hardest hit.

“This includes having the infrastructure in place from day one, including public transport, walking and cycling facilities and roads,” he said.

“It can take many years for the infrastructure to catch up with development, meaning people do not have many choices beyond the private motor vehicle.

“In the next few years, the population in Melbourne’s outer suburbs will have overtaken the total population of the inner and middle suburbs.”

Mr Prosser said the city’s bus system should be improved to better connect people to jobs across the city.

Travel speeds during the morning peak were among the slowest on Point Cook Rd, Point Cook and High St, Epping where new housing has surged with the state’s population.

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said authorities were making up for decades of chronic underinvestment.

Traffic congestion in Melbourne’s outer southeast is a growing issue.

“From the round about at the end of your street to the biggest transport projects Victoria has ever seen like the Metro Tunnel, North East Link and 75 level crossing removals — we’re building for a growing Victoria,” she said.

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A Department of Transport spokesman said significant planning and investment was needed to keep up with the pace of Melbourne’s growth.

“The Victorian Government is investing $4 billion to fix 20 of the most congested roads across Melbourne’s outer west, north and south-eastern suburbs,” he said.

“We actively work with local councils to support them in planning and determining transport requirements in areas of significant growth and ensure arterial roads nearby are properly maintained.”