I was driving up the New England Highway recently, just south of Singleton at a point where the road runs close to the railway line, when a coal train was passing in the opposite direction.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A southerly wind as we passed the train blew a huge plume of coal dust over my car.
There is much evidence showing the seriously dangerous effect fine coal dust (up to 2.5 microns) that blows from uncovered coal trains can have on our health, especially that of children, within 500 metres of the train line.
I refer you to the following link to an article by Alison Branley “Hunter Schools eat lunch next to rail line”, published in the Newcastle Herald on August 3, 2012.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/207630/kids-at-60-hunter-schools-eat-lunch-next-to-coal-rail-line/
Coal trains will soon be passing through Scone at a higher speed causing more dust.
I would like the Upper Hunter Shire councillors to consider the situation and publicly announce where the council stands on the matter and whether the council is actively supporting or will actively support efforts to force the coal companies to cover the wagons.
At the rate the coal industry is expanding up and around the Upper Hunter Shire, Scone will soon lose its reputation as a town with clean air; I don’t need to spell out the economic consequences of that.
We all should make every effort to try to limit the pollution.
