Sydney visitors to the Central West and those from the west heading to Sydney are urged to delay their weekend travel across the Blue Mountains, with continuing impacts to road and rail networks as a result of recent flooding.
Deputy Premier, Minister for Regional New South Wales and Member for Bathurst Paul Toole said flood damage along the Great Western Highway and Bells Line of Road continues to impact motorists and has closed rail access.
“Unless absolutely necessary, people should reconsider any weekend travel across the Blue Mountains until transport connections can be restored,” Mr Toole said.
“For essential travel, plan your trip now, allow extra time and consider staying an extra night in the central west to avoid sitting in bumper to bumper traffic.
“Crews are working around the clock to restore full access to our road and rail networks - but as always safety is our top priority.”
Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway said the pressure on the roads is compounded by the closure of the Blue Mountains rail line, due to landslips and flooding, which is impacting both passenger and freight services.
“It will be some time before we have a clear picture of the full extent of the damage to the rail line and the repairs needed to allow train services to restart,” Mr Farraway said.
“For customers who do need to travel, there are replacement bus services between Penrith and Lithgow, where buses are available and roads are open, but there may be significant delays and disruption to journeys between the Central West and Sydney,
“Those who do need to use the roads please stay vigilant and slow down when you are travelling.”
Traffic is flowing under stop / slow conditions around a single lane closure on the Great Western Highway at Fairy Bower Road near Mount Victoria where the slope is being monitored for stability.
Bells Line of Road is closed at the flooded North Richmond Bridge.
The Dubbo and Broken Hill XPT services to and from Sydney have been replaced by coaches. The Bathurst Bullet train service continues to run between Bathurst and Lithgow, followed by coach replacements.
Check LiveTraffic.com for real time updates.