RESIDENTS of Turrawan, a village south of Narrabri, say their safety has been put at risk by the arbitrary closure this week of a rail crossing that had been used for more than a century.
The Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) closed the crossing – which is on a road that is not “officially” gazetted – after an estimated 120 years of use, residents said.
ARTC officials told The Leader the rail crossing, on a road that joins the Kamilaroi Highway, was now deemed unsafe.
The access gates residents said had always been left open, were padlocked shut on Monday.
ARTC inspectors had deemed there was not sufficient visibility for train drivers to stop if necessary.
Turrawan residents now have to use another crossing about 3km away.
Residents John and Toni Collins met with Narrabri Shire councillors and Member for Barwon Kevin Humphries yesterday.
Mrs Collins said she was optimistic a solution to the problem would be found.
“I think we’ll get somewhere. Everybody is happy that they’re listening to us.”
Mrs Collins said property owners were now forced to use a crossing considered by many residents to be unsafe.
The road it is on, while officially gazetted, joins the highway at a point where it dips.
The risk is that cars turning onto the highway may be invisible to oncoming
vehicles.
This road can also be cut by water during heavy rain.
In addition, a gully the road passed through filled with water in heavy rains, blocking the road.
An ARTC spokesman said the corporation had not been required to consult with residents as the crossing had not been on a legally recognised road.