A brand new cutting-edge level crossing safety technology has now been rolled out on Callaghans Lane near Quirindi.

Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said the $1.2 million Rail Active Crossing System (RAXS) has now been activated with lights flashing from Wednesday.

“Any death on our roads is a tragedy for families and local communities which is why the government must do everything they can to make dangerous rail crossings safer,” Mr Anderson said.

“The Callaghans Lane community have been calling for safety upgrades to the crossing for some time, particularly after a local tragically lost their life at the crossing in 2023.

“I’ve been working with the local community to push the government to commit to an upgrade, and I’m pleased that the work paid off with a NSW-first safety upgrade now delivered at the crossing.

The solar-powered system uses wireless train detection to trigger flashing lights, bells, and clear warning signs, converting a passive crossing into a fully active one.

The technology has been purpose-built for regional and remote areas, where traditional infrastructure may not be feasible, but the risks are real and often deadly.

The technology was installed in July and activated after rigorous safety testing.

The trial runs through to mid-2026, with monitoring in place to assess how motorists interact with the new system.

Importantly, the installed cameras will not be used for enforcement and will be removed at the end of the trial.

“This is a great result for the local community, and I am confident that once this trial is proven successful, we will see more crossings across our region upgraded,” Mr Anderson added.