Aurizon welcomes decision not to blockade coal train as a victory for safety
Aurizon has welcomed the decision today by an environmental group to abandon a planned illegal blockade of a coal train.
Aurizon yesterday contacted the protest group, Friends of the Earth, urging it to immediately withdraw plans for the blockade on the line to the Port of Brisbane. Aurizon was prepared to seek legal intervention if the group refused.
“Aurizon welcomes this decision today in the interests of safety for everyone,” SVP Safety, Health & Environment Neil Backer said today. “Aurizon's primary concern is the safety of its train drivers and the general community.”
“In doing their job, train drivers regularly have to deal with near misses at level crossings and people illegally entering the rail corridor. When collisions occur the consequences are high and the trauma for our drivers can last a lifetime.
“It was grossly irresponsible for a group of protestors to threaten to deliberately and illegally create a safety hazard for coal trains, and risk the safety of themselves and our train drivers.
“Everyone has a right to express their opinion but no one has the right to put people’s safety deliberately at risk.”