A BEVERLY Hills branch of the WestConnex Action Group has been formed to fight the proposed motorway.
A spokesman for the new group, school teacher John English, said the south-western suburbs shared similar concerns about the project as those in other parts of Sydney and wanted to show unity as the movement gained momentum across Sydney.
"No one has ever called us latte-sipping, chardonnay-chattering classes or whatever slurs [Roads Minister] Duncan Gay wants to throw at people, but we aren't stupid and we know garbage when we hear it, so he can go his hardest," Mr English said.
"We have seen the M5 fill to capacity over the past decade and don't believe that more lanes is the answer because they'll just fill up as well.
"We would like the government to provide public transport options, such as rail and light rail, that would allow us to get to suburbs such as Botany and Randwick without dealing with the congestion of the M5.
"Building a tollway to the city will only create more traffic congestion because there will be no money left for real solutions, such as integrated rail, which is much lower cost and more efficient in getting people around."
Mr English said when the government made it affordable to get to Mascot and Green Square by train, people started using those stations, which showed motorists would be encouraged on to public transport if it was available and reasonably priced.
"We are not going to be able to afford $20-plus tolls so most people will use local roads and create even greater chaos," he said.
What do you think about a light rail link for the area?
