Rail, Tram, and Bus Union calling on the state government to fund level crossing upgrades after train and tractor collision

‘Engagement, education and stronger enforcement’ is what the government says is the best way to improve railway crossing safety after police alleged a tractor driver was at fault in a collision with a train.

The state’s peak rail union is calling on the Tasmanian government to allocate funding for level crossing upgrades in the upcoming budget after a collision between a train and a tractor.

In response, the state government pointed to its $2.1m spent on safety improvements and upgrades as part of the $120m tranche four of the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation Program, as an example of its work in the area.

It also stated that TasRail had spent $20m on level crossing safety upgrades and improvements since the program began.

Tasmania Police Sergeant Ben Elliott said that emergency services responded to a crash on Mersey Main Rd at Spreyton in the state’s North-West involving a tractor carrying a pallet and a train laden with cement.

“Police allege the tractor had crossed an uncontrolled level crossing and failed to give way to the oncoming train, which subsequently struck the rear tyres of the tractor,” Sergeant Elliott said.

“Luckily, no injuries were reported.”

Sergeant Elliott said police would proceed against the male tractor driver in his 30s.

Rail, Tram, and Bus Union Tasmania Branch Secretary Byron Cubit said the collision at Spreyton occurred at a “passive” level crossing, which means it does not have boom gates or flashing lights.

“While we implore all motorists to be vigilant around level crossings, it’s clear that state and federal governments need to step up and do more to improve level crossing infrastructure to stop these dangerous incidents from occurring,” Mr Cubit said.

The federal government has allocated $160m over four years as part of the Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund.

The program covers half the cost of a level crossing upgrade, and the state governments must fund the remaining 50 per cent.

Tasmanian Labor's transport spokesman Josh Willie MLC and RTBU Tasmania organiser Byron Cubit speaking with Metro bus drivers outside the Springfield depot, Moonah. Picture: Alex Treacy

Mr Cubit said that no Tasmanian crossings received funding during the first round because the state government did not submit for upgrades.

“Applications for the second round of funding close on 27 September 2024.

“It would be simply negligent for the state government to pass up another opportunity to upgrade some of Tasmania’s most dangerous level crossings.

“We urge the state government to allocate funding for level crossing upgrades in the upcoming state budget, and to make sure that Tasmania gets its fair share of the Regional Level Crossing Upgrade Fund.”

The state government did not explain why it did not apply for funding or whether it would seek money for upgrades in the second round.

A government spokesperson said it welcomed the RTBU’s ongoing interest in level crossing safety in Tasmania.

“TasRail advises that interstate experience tells us boom gates aren’t necessarily the correct approach for each level crossing,” they said.

“Experience elsewhere is that the most effective way to reduce level crossing incidents is to change motorist behaviour through engagement, education and stronger enforcement.

“TasRail recently funded a major Statewide campaign on driver education warning of the dangers of rail level crossings.”

Regarding the Spreyton incident, the spokesperson said the crossing where the collision happened would have had warning signs.

Originally published as Rail, Tram, and Bus Union calling on the state government to fund level crossing upgrades after train and tractor collision