A heavy vehicle-only parking bay on the Bells Line of Road in the Blue Mountains, NSW, has now reopened after being quietly closed last September due to concerns over illegal dumping and “anti-social behaviour”.
Freight industry representatives had called for the eastbound parking bay, about seven kilometres east of Bilpin, to reopen to support drivers who have been forced into longer journeys as a result of the ongoing closure of Victoria Pass.
Transport for NSW provided $45,000 to Hawkesbury City Council to prepare the parking bay for reopening and to carry out ongoing maintenance.
That work has been completed this week and the parking bay reopened on Friday, June 5.
Transport for NSW Executive Director Damien Pfeiffer said the reopening would help heavy vehicle drivers travelling the Bells Line of Road route meet their regulated fatigue management obligations under the Heavy Vehicle National Law, improving safety for all road users and reducing the risk of fatigue-related incidents.
“Safety is always the number one priority on our roads and that includes providing the right infrastructure to keep all road users safe,” Pfeiffer said.
“Heavy vehicle drivers are required to comply with fatigue management law and, in return, we have an obligation to provide opportunities for them to stop and take a break as required.
“The ongoing closure of Victoria Pass has forced some drivers to take the Bells Line of Road instead which for many can mean extra distance and extra time on the road, and also require extra breaks.
“Reopening the parking bay near Bilpin has been a sensible and practical move to support our freight industry.”
Hawkesbury City Council Mayor Les Sheather thanked Transport for NSW for partnering with council to fast-track the reopening of the parking bay.
“Bells Line of Road is an important state route for communities living in and on both sides of the Blue Mountains. This location is now far safer, cleaner and equipped to provide an important rest stop for the hundreds of truck drivers who make the crossing every day,” Cr Sheather said.
“I would also like to thank the advocacy of local residents and community groups who contacted Council and Transport for NSW over their safety concerns and their desire to see a safe and well-maintained parking bay at this location.”
The Bilpin truck parking bay is for heavy vehicles only, with capacity for up to four heavy vehicles at a time. The area has rubbish bins on-site but no seating or toilets.
Further improvements to the parking bay are planned under the Australian Government’s Safety Program for Bells Line of Road.
A map showing the location of NSW rest areas for both heavy and light vehicles is available on the Transport for NSW website.