Detective inspector Matt Kehoe at Kendall Street level crossing. Photo supplied
Motorists, cyclists and those on foot are being reminded of Rail Safety Week (August 13–19) and to look out for trains at the Kendall Street level crossing.
While the NSW Labor government took the local trains off the tracks over a decade ago – and no government since has restored the service – there is a privately run train service between the North Beach Station in the Byron Arts & Industry Estate and Byron’s CBD.
$448 fine
Detective inspector Matt Kehoe said, ‘The fine for running a stop sign at a level crossing is $448 and three demerit points.’
‘Given the history of use with no train on our track for 13 years, locals became complacent on the Kendall Street level crossing on the way into Belongil from Ewingsdale Road. I’m here to say that time is well and truly over now. Please be warned that if you do not stop and look out for the train you will be fined.’
For timetable information visit www.byronbaytrain.com.au.
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If the full Byron Line proposals are implemented the rconcerns raised by police would extend to every level crossing along the line. Older residents will recall the horrific crashes that occued at crossings like Tyagarah, including one the aftermath of which was traumatically witnessed by scores of kids on the school train to Mullum. As tourist trains do nothing to reduce car use – if anything they increase it – the net impact of reintroducing rail is to increase accident risk.
Because of the energy used slowing or stopping and starting it is by no means clear that even with a solar train there is any environmental gain. Byron Shire Council should do a compariaon of the additional non-renewable energy used by cars and trucks stopping and starting at Kendall Street with the energy saved by the solar train.Hpoefully the Byron Line study will go beyond its scope of services and advise if road based alternatives – including electric buses running on renewables – can get visitors around the Shire with less energy use and greater safety.