http://albert-and-logan.whereilive.com.au
Truck owners have threatened to take Logan City Council to court if it does not scrap its ban on heavy vehicles using the Edwards Bridge at Greenbank.
Council slapped a 15-tonne load limit on the old wooden bridge after fears were raised it might collapse under such heavy loads.
The 15-tonne load limit was imposed without notice last Thursday, affecting as many as 1000 heavy vehicle drivers who regularly use Goodna Rd as a shortcut to suburbs such as Springfield.
Logan City Council Deputy Mayor Russell Lutton said he empathised with truck drivers, but stressed that ensuring the safety of all users was a priority.
``The engineer's report shows the bridge could fail and we can't risk a truck or a bus full of kids on a bridge which could collapse,'' Cr Lutton said.
Steve Botfield, of Greenbank Earthmoving, who is organising a class action against council, said the new load limit affected about 200 trucking businesses in the Logan area.
``We have to go another 60km (because of the limit), which will take four times as long plus tolls, plus wages, plus fuel,'' he said.
``We're starting to raise $100,000 to mount a class action against council on the basis that the limit has affected our businesses.''
Mr Botfield said council could raise the maximum load limit from 15 tonnes to 20 tonnes to minimise the impact on truck owners.
``Even if they raise the limit by two-and-half to three tonnes, that will allow most people (in this area) to bring their empty truck home after work.''
Mr Botfield said an alternative was for council to put in a temporary track beside the bridge to allow heavy vehicles to continue using Goodna Rd or organise for them to go through Greenbank Army Base.
He said the new load limit would cost an extra $2000 a month for a fixed-price contract at Springfield.
``They can't close an arterial road with no notice and expect 200 business to suffer for it,'' he said.
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COMMENT: This ban by Logan City Council should not have been imposed with any notification to the 1000 truck
drivers and 200 businesses affected by the new load limit. This road is part of their livelihood. Ipswich's western
corridor is the fastest-growing region of Australia and this new load limit will force many drivers to go "the long way
round" to get to Springfield and other places in Ipswich's eastern suburbs. Logan City Council should be providing
a temporary alternative as soon as possible as suggested by local truckies. It should be taking steps to replace this
bridge - which dates back to the horse and buggy days - as a matter of high priority.
PaulGTully@gmail.com
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