Longford bypass plan unfolds

An alternative route for heavy vehicles that skirts Longford and reduces traffic through the heart of the town will be investigated by Labour.

Labor leader Dean Winter and Labor Member for Lyons Jen Butler met with concerned locals on Thursday to tell them face-to-face about the opposition party’s commitment to boost regional growth, saying the historic town of Longford would be a priority.

“Situated in the heart of the state’s agricultural engine room, the population of Longford has nearly doubled in the past 10 years, and is projected to continue to grow,” Mr Winter said.

 “This growth needs a plan so the community and local economy can continue to prosper.

“The importance of our regional centres can’t be underestimated. I’ll be working with other towns and Councils across the State facing similar challenges.”

Ms Butler said Longford is one of the last major Tasmanian towns without an alternative route for heavy vehicles, which is one of the opportunities the plan will seek to investigate. 

“Situated in the heart of the state’s agricultural engine room, the population of Longford has nearly doubled in the past 10 years, and is projected to continue to grow,” she said.

“This lack of an alternative route has seen increasing traffic movements impact the amenity and safety of the main shopping district, holding back opportunities for economic growth within the town, while also reducing efficiency for nearby primary producers.

“Outer-urban regional centres like Brighton, Perth and Sorell have all experienced huge growth since link roads have been built, and we would like to understand how Longford might be able to benefit too.

Northern Midlands Councillor Allison Andrews, who has long been frustrated by the increasing amount of heavy vehicle movements through the town and is among a vocal group of residents who are opposing the addition of a 24-hour truck refuelling station on Tannery Rd, welcomed the support.

“It’s been a concern for quite some time with council that we have no other route for heavy vehicles and farm vehicles to go through Longford other than down the main street and that causes problems for the townspeople and the agricultural community that are trying to access properties they need to get to on either side of the town,” she said.

Fellow Longford resident Rob Henry said that the agricultural area on the southern side of Longford has grown enormously over the last few years and it will only get bigger as irrigation expands.

“I think it’s now time to look ahead for an alternative route to take the heavy traffic out of Longford, for everyone’s benefit.”