The VTA CEO says the recent incident in Victoria yesterday shows the necessity for road and rail freight corridors to be repaired
Victorian Transport Association CEO Peter Anderson says a freight train derailment in Inverleigh yesterday is causing disruptions to the supply chain.
After the derailment occurred yesterday, Anderson says the incident will further disrupt road and rail freight supply chains that are already facing challenges from recent flooding in Victoria.
The derailment was allegedly caused by the tracks buckling due to water continuously seeping underneath them.
Anderson says the incident underscores the VTA’s recent calls for urgent federal and state funding to create a plan to tackle the repairing and reinstating of road and rail freight networks.
“We need our political leaders out there committing resources to fix the damage that’s been done as soon as possible, in what are clearly unprecedented rain and weather events and outside the ordinary maintenance of our transportation networks,” Anderson says.
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As a result of the Melbourne-Adelaide rail corridor closure for the wreckage to be cleared and the damage assessed and repaired, the VTA is expecting an increase in road freight transport between Melbourne and Adelaide.
“Freight will always find a way to get to customers and consumers, particularly during our peak season leading into Christmas,” Anderson says.
“With the expected increase in heavy vehicle traffic, we ask all motorists to take additional care on the roads to prevent accidents and keep everyone as safe as possible.”