ACT Policing is warning Canberra commuters of potential delays and disruptions to traffic on Monday, August 22 as a result of a protest rally.
Participants in the ‘Convoy of No Confidence’ protest rally are expected to arrive in Canberra on Sunday, August 21. The formal convoy will commence at 5.30 am on Monday (August 22) morning, taking major arterial routes into the city such as Northbourne Avenue, Adelaide Avenue, Commonwealth Avenue, Tuggeranong Parkway, Gungahlin Drive Extension, Monaro Highway, Barton Highway and Canberra Avenue.
The precincts of Mitchell, Bruce, the City and the Parliamentary Triangle will also be affected.
“We anticipate that the extra traffic on the roads will cause delays to motorists, and we encourage people to think of alternate routes, especially if they work in the CBD, or travel through the CBD to go to work.” Operational Commander for the event, Superintendent Michael Chew said.
ACT Policing will be using its traffic twitter account — ACTPol_Traffic — to provide up-to-date information about road closures, traffic delays and hazards.
It is likely that these traffic disruptions will be in place from 5.30am to 9.00 am, Monday 22 August.
Superintendent Chew commented that planning for the event has progressed well, with cooperation and good dialogue between the organisers, ACT Government and ACT Policing.
“ACT Policing is working closely with convoy organisers and the ACT Government in an attempt to ensure that the convoy doesn’t have a major impact for ACT road users. A traffic strategy has been developed which will assist in moving the convoy along a pre-determined route”.
“As part of our operational plan, ACT Policing will be managing traffic flow through the use of variable message boards, traffic signal overrides, traffic direction officers and official escort and sweep cars. Dedicated officers will be deployed to assist in the convoy movements along specific routes which have been pre-arranged.
“We are expecting 11 convoys. At this stage we cannot confirm how many vehicles or people are participating in the convoy or subsequent protest. While every effort is being made to minimise the impact on the Canberra community, traffic delays are expected. Police would encourage commuters on the morning of Monday 22 August to be patient and flexible,” Superintendent Chew said.
