New England Rail Trail sees criticism from train line supporters as council plans to push ahead

Glen Innes Council voted to push ahead with plans to design the first stage of the New England Rail Trail.

The first stage of the rail trail is a 35.5km stretch between Glen Innes and Ben Lomond.

The rail trail requires the removal of the train line and would be designed for cyclists and pedestrians.

Glen Innes mayor Rob Banham spoke positively about the move, saying he had read about very successful rail trails operating in regional communities.

Read also:

The majority of councillors supported it, with only one - Tim Alt - voting against the motion.

Meanwhile, a group determined to restore the Great Northern railway line stand in opposition.

Tenterfield engineer Allen Crosthwaite ran as an independent in the Lismore electorate at the state election.

The major focus of his campaign was the viability of re-opening the Great Northern railway between Armidale and Wallangarra.

"The (Glen Innes) mayor needs to update his knowledge on trains," Mr Crosthwaite said.

"Governments don't build train lines anymore. They are built by private consortiums using private public partnership.

"Our view is that rail trails and train lines can coexist in most cases."

The project is planned to eventually run between Armidale and Glen Innes, with Armidale Regional Council responsible for the section south of Ben Lomond.

Mr Crosthwaite said he was pushing ahead with his focus on train restoration, which would help a number of communities improve in agriculture, housing and infrastructure.

Originally, he struggled to find support from politicians to fund a feasibility study or support building a section of the line from Wallangarra to Tenterfield.

He said he has made some contacts since his campaign and will continue to push his cause.

"Trains can reach Sydney in nine hours and faster than trucks," he said.

"This will save 96,000 litres of diesel every day and is viable with freight of 600 containers each day. This corridor is unique and faster than the coastal line.

"The train line will revitalise little communities like Guyra, Llangothlin, Deepwater, Dundee, Bolivia and Sandy Flats."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: