Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has welcomed the official start of a trial of new technology to boost safety at the level crossing on the Mary Gilmore Way at Bribbaree.
“I am very pleased to have this trial underway in our electorate, as part of ongoing efforts to improve safety at railway level crossings in regional areas,” Ms Cooke said.
“It is one of two locations in regional New South Wales to trial the new signage and LED flashing lights – aimed at reducing the risk of collisions between trains and vehicles.
“It is my hope that the data collated at Bribbaree will lead to a broader roll out of the technology to passive level crossings in other parts of the electorate.
“We have seen how the roll out of flashing lights at school zones for example has helped to boost driver safety and awareness, and this trial is an important step in response to calls for a boost to level crossing safety.”
Ms Cooke was joined for the switch-on by Minister for Regional Transport and Roads, the Hon Jenny Aitchison and safety campaigner Maddie Bott, together with representatives of the Bribbaree community.
The trial is a commitment of the former NSW Coalition Government, following the community led petition presented by Ms Cooke to NSW Parliament in November 2021.
In addition to the trial, speed limits have also been reduced on the approach to several actively controlled level crossings in the region.
The trial is funded through the Digital Restart Fund, with Transport for NSW to collate the data over 24 months to determine the effectiveness of the technology.
For more information about the Level Crossing Safety petition please visit : Legislative Assembly Hansard – 11 November 2021 (nsw.gov.au)
