Proposals to be sought from industry on alternatives to timber sleepers

10/1/00
Transport Minister Murray Criddle announced today that Westrail would seek proposals from industry to determine if there were acceptable alternatives to timber sleepers.
"While there are strong technical and economic arguments for the continued use of timber sleepers, the alternatives have to be properly explored and that is why we are asking industry to help us find a solution," Mr Criddle said.
He said that State Cabinet had suspended Westrail's purchase of timber sleepers in July this year but agreed last week to allow the purchase of 30,000 sleepers which had been cut prior to the suspension date.
" Westrail has been given access to this stockpile of cut sleepers so that critical re-sleepering projects can continue," the Minister said.
He said the purchase would also assist small regional sawmills which had cut the sleepers in the expectation of being able to sell them.
While Westrail's specification for sleepers allowed for higher levels of defects and timber used in the sleepers had no other commercial use, the Government recognised public concerns and the need to pursue alternatives to timber sleepers.
"Westrail is already recognised as a leader in the use of steel sleepers in combination with existing timber sleepers," Mr Criddle said.
"Concrete sleepers are used on heavily trafficked lines and will be used exclusively on extensions to the urban railway system.
"Westrail will not be permitted to purchase sleepers cut from timber which has a higher value-added use."
Media contact: Doug Cunningham 9321 7333