Gunnedah's New Street closure cancelled

New Street was going to close for up to six months from Monday, August 12 to allow works to continue on Gunnedah's second rail overpass. The date fell just 10 days before Gunnedah's agricultural field days on August 20-22.

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On Friday, Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson contacted Australian Community Media (ACM) to say the closure would no longer occur on that date.

"I rang the RMS and the regional transport minister's office ... and explained to them how important it was [for New Street] to stay open during one of the busiest times in the year and that it needed to stay open during that period," Mr Anderson said.

"I've spoken to affected businesses who contacted me directly and they were very pleased I could find that solution.

"[The RMS] committed to meeting with Gunnedah Shire Council to discuss the traffic management plan around that zone to look at what they can do to minimise disruption during the construction of the overpass."

Mr Anderson said he hoped the discussion would be "open and free-flowing".

"There might be times where the closure occurs but it's up to the council to work through the traffic management plan that best suits the community but also helps businesses to operate," he said.

Gunnedah deputy mayor Rob Hooke shared his concerns about the planned closure with ACM on Wednesday, saying there wasn't adequate consultation from the RMS regarding the date.

A new closure date will be chosen after the RMS and the council meet for discussions.

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