Letter to the Editor: Upgrade the North Coast railway

DEAR News Of The Area,

IMAGINE this!

Instead of spending $93 billion on a high-speed railway between Sydney and Newcastle (which will inevitably double or triple or quadruple in cost before completion), imagine that this money is invested in the North Coast railway!

The line would be duplicated so trains could run in both directions without delays.

Steep grades would be reduced with tunnelling, bridges, embankments and viaducts, allowing trains to maintain a higher speed.

Deviations would be built wherever the lines need straightening or the curves need easing, so trains could maintain a higher speed.

The lines would be electrified allowing the new regional trains to run without having to switch to their diesel engines beyond Broadmeadow.

Intersecting roads would have bridges or underpasses to maintain traffic flow and all minor roads would have state-of-the-art level crossings.

The line would be reopened to Murwillumbah and a dedicated platform would be built at Roma Street in Brisbane. Trains to the North Coast could depart on the hour alternating between all stations trains and limited-stop expresses. Overtaking loops would be incorporated into the system as well.

Passenger trains would be given priority over freight trains.

This major upgrade to an ancient railway track would revolutionise rail travel with passengers averaging 110km/hr or more in comfort and safety and without having to pay exorbitant fares to reach their destination.

Seniors and pensioners could still enjoy subsidised travel with the money left over from this huge injection of funding. This would be affordable infrastructure spending, boosting employment and the economy, with limited impact on other essential expenditure.

Yours,
Geoff RICHARDSON,
Port Macquarie.