Sydney needs better planning to prevent traffic chaos in major event

Traffic crosses a major road bridge leading to Sydney's central business district May 11, 2009. (Xinhua/Reuters File Photo)
Sydney desperately needs better planning to prevent traffic chaos during major events, said Australia's New South Wales Roads Minister Duncan Gay on Monday.

Gay said the government would now review traffic management plans for major events.

He admitted the traffic jam on Sunday was "a mess" and agreed motorists were right to be furious about the delays, according to Australian Associated Press.

Gay, who has been Roads Minister for only a week, accepted responsibility for the traffic disaster that caused by a triathlon in Sydney on Sunday.

The Harbor Bridge and several major roads were closed for most of Sunday morning to make way for the triathlon, bringing parts of the city to a standstill and causing long delays for motorists.

"Some may say we're still in our honeymoon, but frankly I accept that responsibility is mine," said Gay.

"I have every right to blame the previous government, but I won't. I'm the minister now, and they've left me a legacy that is pretty ordinary, but it is my job to fix it."

Gay said more should have been done on Sunday and a greater effort should also have been made to encourage commuters onto public transport.

Source: Xinhua
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