Wake up call on WA roads

WAFarmers President Dale Park says the closure of the Cunderdin – Quairading Road to heavy vehicles, after suffering severe structural damage, is a wake up call for the State Government.

“This highlights what WAFarmers and the Shire of Quairading has been saying all along.

“The closure of the Tier 3 rail lines is having, and will continue to have, a negative impact on rural roads which are being forced to bear loads which they were never built to carry,” Mr Park said.

The Shire of Cunderdin inspected the road on February 11 and resolved that it be closed to heavy vehicular traffic given the damage sustained to the road surface and sub-surface from continual heavy movements of road trains.

The Council stated on their website that they believe the damage “is an extreme safety hazard for other vehicular traffic on the road which includes school bus and many light vehicles”.

WAFarmers has previously expressed similar concern for the safety of rural communities and road users since the closure of Tier 3 rail lines has increased truck movements by the thousands.

Co-operative Bulk Handling (CBH) remains willing to take responsibility of the lines from Brookfield Rail but negotiations are ongoing.

WAFarmers continues to await the Government’s response to the Economics and Industry Standing Committee report into the management of the State’s grain freight network which was tabled in October.

Ends.

All media requests can be directed to WAFarmers Media and Communications Officer Sophie Kilby on (08) 9486 2100 or [email protected].

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