NSW road train network increases by additional 900km

He was commenting on Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole's announcement last Friday of new access to more than 900 kilometres of additional road network.

This was great news for the freight industry, Mr Horne said, as up to now in many instances carriers had to go the long way around, travelling extra distances on traditional road train routes that were commonly at a significantly lower standard than the Newell Highway.

Mr Horne of Horne Ag Logistics, Hillston, operates a road freight business utilising road trains and a grain storage site.

Mr Toole said after an extensive assessment of road train vehicle performance and engaging with key stakeholders, it was possible to open up more than 900km of additional road network on and east of the Newell Highway to Type 1 A-double road trains.

"These road trains can carry up to 25 per cent more freight per trip than a 26 metre B-double which means larger loads and less trucks on the road, reducing the wear and tear on our State road network while at the same time reducing freight costs for producers," he said.

"The Newell Highway is the freight backbone of NSW and allowing more access for larger vehicles will be particularly welcomed by primary producers who have been advocating for extensions to the road train network for some time."

Mr Horne said it will also eliminate a lot of doubles splitting, which wasted time, and extra kilometres, all costs that are usually passed on to producers or manufacturers.

"This is a big positive for the industry. Every party in the supply chain is going to benefit," he said.

"The traditional routes are well suited to both tandem and tri-axle dolly type 1 A-double road trains and there's plenty of equipment sitting idle that can now be used to their full extent on these routes.

NSW Farmers member and Central West farmer Wayne Dunford, Forbes, said the new agreement was a positive step for road train operators that would allow greater route flexibility and choice to use existing trailer stock.

"The previous restrictions on heavy vehicle movements resulted in added costs and time for farmers and freight carriers," Mr Dunford said.

"Opening up the network to road trains comes at an important time for grain producers who are expecting a stronger harvest after years of drought."

Under the new agreement all Type 1 tandem-axle A-double road trains transporting any commodity, except livestock, will have full access to the additional road network.

Road trains carrying livestock will only be permitted to operate on the extra 400 kilometres of the Newell Highway.

The changes have been updated in the National Class 2 Road Train Authorisation Notice.

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