Council data has found trucks are avoiding the $10.2 billion West Gate Tunnel and are still using rat runs through Melbourne’s inner north.

Lord Mayor Nick Reece told 3AW Breakfast hosts Ross Stevenson and Russel Howcroft it is putting the community at risk.

Press PLAY to hear what Reece and the council will do in response

“We’ve been very pleased to see some roads have been closed [from trucks] in the western suburbs … now we’re asking for similar treatment for some of these key local roads through the inner north,” he said.

CEO of Victoria Transport Association, Peter Anderson, then labelled the lord mayor’s comments “inflammatory and derogative” on 3AW Drive later in the day.

“I can’t understand why he would come out with those sort of statements,” Mr Anderson told Jacqui Felgate.

Press PLAY to hear him blast the lord mayor’s comments

State government left with ‘raw end of the deal’ in West Gate Tunnel project

Images: iStock, Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images