$45,000,000 toward Scone’s level rail crossing problem was announced in the Federal Budget on Tuesday night. In a boost for the case for a rail overpass, Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon is backing a $65 million overpass as  “a better,  cheaper and quicker solution than the $95 million or more that a bypass would take”. “I will be guided by the views and will of the local community and its elected council,” Mr Fitzgibbon said. Asked if the funds should be secure if there is a change of government at the September federal election, he said, “I find it difficult to imagine any future government withdrawing money for such an important project.” “It is not acceptable in the 21st century, to have a dangerous and traffic-halting level rail crossing on one of our main roads through one of our major towns.” Upper Hunter Shire Council mayor Michael Johnsen also welcomed the announcement. “It’s good news $45m is being committed in future funding,” he said. “We now need to know what it is funding.” The NSW government will also need to contribute funds towards the project. Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) will soon start what is presumably final consultations before making a recommendation. Two options back After several  delays a date has been set for the RMS display of the two shortlisted options for the New England Highway rail level crossing at Scone. It wil be between 11.30am and 2.30pm on Thursday, May 30 at the Scone Motor Inn conference room. Feedback closes on June 7. Upper Hunter Shire Council which is promoting its own option was willing to host the RMS display but was not asked. RMS staff will be there to answer questions on option 1, a bypass, and a modified version of option 4, an overpass over the rail line, an RMS spokesperson said  “Option one includes a bypass of Scone, modified access to Bill Rose sports complex, a bridge over the rail line and a new route for the highway. This option means the level crossing on the existing highway would remain.” “The modified option four is a less expensive, in-town solution which includes a road-over-rail bridge at the Kelly Street railway crossing.” Council stands by their overpass options A meeting about what to do about increasing coal trains and heavy vehicles  through Scone drew over 100 people last week.  “It is important we go to the decision makers with a clear, concise picture of what the community needs and wants,” mayor Michael Johnson said opening the meeting. Upper Hunter Shire Council manager Daryl Dutton spoke for 80 minutes on the problems with the RMS bypass option and the benefits of council’s preferred traffic management options including a rail overpass and a heavy vehicle alternate route. Mr Dutton emphasised the growing number of longer coal trains that would be coming through Scone in the next few years.  “We all agree something has to be done, we can’t wait until 2018,” Mr Dutton said. The main concern with the bypass was the rail crossing remained an impediment to local traffic although an embankment for a bypass on a flood plain was also a problem he said. On RMS’s intersection plans Mr Dutton said, “If that’s a safe intersection, I’ll walk backwards to Bourke on broken glass”. He said there was confusion in the community about the proposed options, in part because council was being “mushroomed” by the RMS and getting “mixed messages” from Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon who sent a letter to residents which stated RMS was poised to recommend a bypass. “No wonder people are confused,” Mr Dutton said. The audience had their say  and some suggested solutions from speeding up trains to 110km/ hour, tunnels under the rail line without telling the RMS and forcing the coal industry to pay to move the rail line west. The meeting called by the council and the Scone Chamber of Commerce was held the day after International Level Crossing Awareness Day which highlights the need for safety around level rail crossings. After Mr Dutton’s address the audience raised concerns about traffic in Guernsey street during construction on the New England Highway and the impact of an overpass including the need for houses and businesses close by to be demolished. “Everyone has a different view,” said Cr Johnsen as he closed the meeting. “It’s important we are all as informed as possible and make our views known.” Driving home at 8.30pm, I got caught at the level rail crossing while what I now know to be a 90 carriage train went past at about 25km/hrs. 
