They want part of the Coonamble to Dubbo rail track curved and repositioned or a rail bridge installed to improve access to the Dubbo Regional Livestock Markets.

Fletchers International, Australian Rail Track Corporation, the Roads and Traffic Authority, Rail Infrastructure Corporation and CR Rail will meet with Grow Dubbo next month to discuss the options.

When relevant information is available Grow Dubbo general manager Rorque Poisson will submit a proposal to the government.

Large trucks trying to access the saleyards cannot use the most direct route from the Newell Highway.

Instead they are forced to make a 6.8km detour from Troy Crossing up to Purvis Lane, into Yarrandale Road and back down Boothenba Road into the saleyards.

According to Mr Poisson the problem is simple, B-double trucks are too long to come to a standstill at the stop sign.

“The rail line is positioned close to the Newell Highway and there simply isn’t enough room for the trucks,’’ he said.

“If they stop at the Boothenba Road crossing the back end of their road train sticks out into highway traffic causing a safety hazard. The only way around the problem is to make the costly 6.8km detour.

“It’s a big problem involving more than 10,000 one-way truck trips per annum.

“We’re talking 84,000km worth of additional truck movements along the detour. Extra avoidable emissions generated per tonne (using National Greenhouse Accounts Factor of 2.9kg of emission per litre of fuel burnt) are estimated to be 121,800 tonnes per annum.

“Added to that is the inconvenience of time lost and wear and tear of heavy traffic on Dubbo City Council roads.’’

Mr Poisson said the push for action at the rail crossing was based on having a more efficient process, including better safety and a more economical way of delivering livestock to the saleyards.

“We estimate the cost of building a small section of rail line at between $2-$3 million,’’ he said.

Roger Fletcher described truck access problems in Boothenba Road as ridiculous.

“A lot of traffic moves in and out of the saleyards and a range of other businesses in Boothenba Road, including major trucking and cargo companies,’’ he said.

“The traffic is especially troublesome when long funeral processions heading to Western Districts Memorial Park bank up along the Newell Highway as they wait to pass through the Boothenba Road railway crossing stop sign.’’