Truck verdict
IT beggars belief that there needed to be any form of debate in Council over the issue of an emergency coal shuttle through Lithgow.
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Mt Piper is facing a crisis of supply due to geological problems at Springvale Colliery and desperate times demand a sometimes uncomfortable but none the less desperate response.
Coal trucks have for many years been restricted from movement through Lithgow and haulage from Clarence Colliery has been the 'long way' via the Darling Causeway and through Mt Victoria.
During the current crisis Clarence is the main source of supply for Mt Piper and restrictions on outward bound loaded trucks have been eased.
But when Clarence sought to have the émpties' return through Lithgow to save valuable time there was a degree of opposition.
It was head in the sand stuff but common sense prevailed with a clear majority and approval came through.
It's important to note the Mt Piper issues is not just a (hopefully) temporary problem for Lithgow but a potential problem for all of NSW.
And in any event coal trucks have been rumbling through urban Lithgow for months from another 'temporary' project and not a word raised.
FOOTNOTE: In the bad old days coal trucks were on the move across town all day between Lithgow Valley Colliery and the washery at Hermitage, an era thankfully long gone.
Slow boat from ... !
The condition of Lithgow's Tank Street north of Railway Parade continues to draw the wrath of long suffering motorists more than a year after it was torn up for services replacements.
The delay, Workmens Club representatives and other inquirers have been told, is a single and quite costly valve being sourced from the USA to complete whatever is being done with water pipes beneath the road.
Maybe they should have tried Amazon.
Low profile
JOHN Watters is one railway buff seriously annoyed at the lack of promotion for October's historic milestone, 150 years since the first trains reached Lithgow.
It's surely lacking the official enthusiasm it deserves (unlike the 100th anniversary) but it's not a total loss.
John tells us we'll be getting a visit from a vintage train hauled by a Garrett, the biggest steam loco ever to operate over the Blue Mountains.
Wonder what else is planned, if anything.
Times of change
RIGHT, it's ready, set, and almost go for the turnover to Daylight Saving.
Set those clocks forward an hour at 2am next Sunday, October 6.
So you lose an hour's sleep; you'll get it back in April.
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