The union representing train drivers says last week’s collision between a train and a tractor at a crossing on Main Road Spreyton in the state’s North-West highlights the need in Tasmania for controlled crossings with boom gates.
Rail Tram and Bus Union Tasmanian branch secretary Byron Cubit says there has been three collisions and an alarming spike on near misses at crossings, particularly in the North-West Coast.
TasRail says more than 40% cent of rail crossing incidents in the past year occurred on the North West Coast, in particular at crossings in Devonport and Ulverstone.
Police say a man in his 30s was charged over last week’s incident, in which no injuries were reported.
Mr Cubit says the Federal Government has allocated $160 million over the next four years under the Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Programme , which provides up to 50% of the cost of an upgrade, with State Governments to fund the remainder.
He says no projects in Tasmania were funded in the first round, because the State Government failed to submit an application.
Mr Cubit says the second round of funding applications close on September 27, saying the State Government would be negligent to pass up another opportunity to upgrade some of Tasmania’s most dangerous rail crossings.
