The NSW minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole has announced that NSW has opened up more than 900 additional kilometres of the state’s road network to road trains in a move that he says will ‘make it easier for producers and manufacturers to move freight across the State’.
Minister Toole said this was ‘great news for the freight industry which would help to reduce costs and improve productivity’.
“After an extensive assessment of road train vehicle performance and engaging with key stakeholders, we’ve been able to open up more than 900 kilometres of additional road network on and east of the Newell Highway to Type 1 A-double road trains,” Mr Toole said.
“These road trains can carry up to 25 per cent more freight per trip than a 26 metre B-double which means larger loads and less trucks on the road, reducing the wear and tear on our State road network while at the same time reducing freight costs for producers.”
Mr Toole said the Newell Highway was the freight backbone of NSW and allowing more access for larger vehicles would be particularly welcomed by primary producers who have been advocating for extensions to the road train network for some time.
“We’re always looking at ways to improve freight efficiency and the close collaboration between industry and Transport for NSW has meant we’ve been able to implement this significant change,” Mr Toole said.
NSW Farmers member and Central West farmer Wayne Dunford said the new agreement was a positive step for road train operators that would allow greater route flexibility and choice to use existing trailer stock.
“The previous restrictions on heavy vehicle movements resulted in added costs and time for farmers and freight carriers,” Mr Dunford said.
“Opening up the network to road trains comes at an important time for grain producers who are expecting a stronger harvest after years of drought.”
Under the new agreement all Type 1 tandem-axle A-double road trains transporting any commodity, except livestock, will have full access to the additional road network. Road trains carrying livestock will only be permitted to operate on the extra 400 kilometres of the Newell Highway.
The changes have been updated in the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice.
For more information: nswroads.work/roadtrains
