The Victorian Transport Association (VTA) says night curfews for heavy vehicles in Melbourne are short-sighted and possibly useless.

VTA CEO Peter Anderson says a Labor party promise to ban trucks from major roads in Melbourne's north-east at night makes very little sense.

“It doesn't make sense to announce night truck curfews on major transport routes such as Greensborough Hwy and Rosanna Rd without providing alternate routes,” Mr Anderson said.

“These roads offer a direct route to the M80 ring road and through to the Hume Highway and Tullamarine Freeway and these bans are simply a recipe for further conflict.

“If these proposed bans go ahead, logically freight vehicles of varying sizes will travel deeper into suburban lower grade roads that are less equipped to take heavy vehicles. We'll also see an increase in the number of freight vehicles travelling on these roads during daylight hours; simply adding to the congestion.

“Without delivery of the ‘missing link’ between the M80 ring road and the Eastern Freeway congestion in and around Melbourne's north-east will only worsen, particularly if heavy vehicles are banned from these roads during non-peak periods.

“The freight industry has a responsibility to its customers and the community. Workable solutions to allow efficient freight movement to its point of sale should be discussed at every opportunity by all levels of government, statutory authorities and other community stakeholders.”

Mr Anderson said his approaches to the Shadow Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan to discuss the promises have been met openly and honestly.