MEMBERS of Lithgow City Council met with residents living close to State Mine Railway on Saturday, July 23 to discuss plans for the railway to expand opening hours and operations to attract tourists.
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Around a dozen people were at the meeting including councillors Peter Pilbeam, Joe McGinnes, Ray Thompson, Col Hunter and mayor Maree Statham.
Speaking to the Lithgow Mercury, Cr Thompson said it was a fairly low-key meeting with only a few people against the State Mine Railway’s submission to extend operations.
Lithgow City Council decided to hold a meeting with residents living close to the railway after concerns were raised on the issue at the last council meeting.
Cr Thompson said issues discussed at the meeting were the hours of operation, the number of trips, vibrations from trains travelling over the Atkinson Street crossing and the sounding of the whistle.
One person spoke about safety concerns for the road at the level crossing which Cr Thompson said needs to be looked at.
While not a part of the State Mine Railway’s submission to council the road is an issue for nearby residents already as people use it often to travel to Newnes State Forest.
At the last council meeting a resident spoke on the issue of road safety at the crossing and said increased tourist traffic could make the road dangerous for many people.
Cr Thompson said work needed to be done on the road on either side of the level crossing regardless of changes to the railway.
“It’s obvious given the state of the road that it needs urgent repair,” he said.
“People go up the road all the time for things like four-wheel driving and it’s clear that it is an issue.”
Lithgow City Council is holding an extraordinary meeting on Wednesday, July 27 at 6pm in the Council Chambers to discuss the council’s next move for the railway.
Other items on the agenda for the extra meeting include a discussion on a council submission to the Office of Local Government regarding finance and “Fit for the Future” reforms.