ONE SHUNTING train is being blamed for causing morning traffic to come to a standstill and shut three rail crossings on Thursday.
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Motorists were forced to wait at railway crossings on Crossing Street, Blumer Avenue and Ebert Street for as long as 30 minutes before crossings reopened.
A John Holland Rail representative said the intersections were closed as a result of a shunting train and there was no malfunctions or technical issues.
“Increased trains this week on the Country Regional Network unfortunately resulted in a train causing traffic delays,” the representative said.
“We are working with rail operators to limit the amount of times trains are shunting in Griffith during the harvest season to minimise the impact on the local community.”
Hannah Lee Alexander approached the crossing on Ebert Street around 7.50am and was forced to travel through Beelbangera and Yoogali to get to work, which caused her to her to be 30 minutes late.
"It is ridiculous, people have to get to work and they have jobs to do, I understand the train and rail workers have jobs to do, but why is it construction workers and people can't make noise after a certain time yet a train can come through at any time causing people to be late to work," Miss Alexander said.
“Griffith has become too big, there are more people so I think the trains need to go around or the yard needs to move outside Griffith and they definitely shouldn't be passing through during peak-hour times.”
Councillor Paul Snaidero said shunting operations should be managed to convenience the community.
"Thursday's shunting operations, which caused the community a huge disruption and inconvenience, should perhaps come as a reminder the sooner the rail yard can be moved from the CBD the better for the community,” Cr Snaidero said
"With rail logistical movement increasing from grain harvest and vintage the loading facility is only going to get busier and perhaps we need to expedite the proposal to move the yard from the CBD to minimise these kinds of disruptions.”
In November, LINX National Logistics Manager Wayne Alpen said the company was committed to relocate from the Railway Street the Western Riverina Intermodal Freight Terminal at Wumbulgal.
