Barwon MP Kevin Humphries has said he will raise the issue with the NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Ms Melinda Pavey.

Train speeds through the town have been increased to 80 kilometres an hour from 20 kilometres per hour imposed in 2012 for track upgrades.

Train speed was discussed at the February meeting of the Bogan Shire Council. A representative from rail line operating company, John Holland, attended the meeting to address concerns over the change.

The company’s Network Operational Manager, Ben Hope, said safety was a number one priority for John Holland and NSW Transport.

Deputy Mayor Glen Neill raised concerns over the crossings at either end of town and discussed a situation where lights were going but no train was approaching, arguing that it is possible for mistakes to occur.

“With trains travelling at 80 clicks we can’t afford to put ourselves into that position,” Cr Neill said.

Mr Hope responded by reassuring the council that sighting assessments are undertaken on all level crossings, and said all crossings in Nyngan comply to standards. 

However Bogan Shire Mayor Ray Donald raised a concern with the Nyngan Observer with regard to the rail crossing near the river where the Mitchell Highway crosses the tracks. 

He described the regular instance where B-Triple trucks cross this crossing to continue though Nyngan, and described the potential for a major accident.

“If [a B-Triple is] on that level crossing and crossing it, and they have to give way to traffic going either way in Nymagee street, then the rear of that trailer hasn’t cleared the railway line. Suddenly the lights go on and indicate that the train is coming through at 80 km/h there’s potential there for a terribly major accident,” Mr Donald said. 

Mr Hope said John Holland is willing to work with the council and host community sessions to provide education, and look at options for pedestrian safety and level crossing facilities, hoping to come to a solution rather than having the matter go further.

Mr Donald said it is unsatisfactory and believed it should be a political decision that enforces John Holland and NSW Transport to revert their speeds back to 20 km/h for safety.