With hay cutting happening now and a bumper harvest season on the way, motorists in the Wheatbelt need to expect heavy traffic and delays on local roads.
Trucks, utes and farm machinery are likely to be on the roads, crossing roads and exiting in unusual places.
Many of these will be oversize vehicles, and they will need some or even all of the other side of the road.
A CBH spokesperson said grain movement will increase from now until the end of December.
“CBH is moving grain throughout its network using both road and rail transport options all year round,” the spokesperson said.
“However, there is an increase in grain being moved by road throughout harvest; with 200,000 – 400,000 grower deliveries to CBH across the state, typically mostly between mid-October and end of December.
“This is done on a consistent basis during the hours of 6:30am and 6pm.”
The CHB spokesperson said there is no particular time during these hours that is busier than others.
Committee Member and Shire of Northam Councillor Chris Davidson said it is important to be extra careful on country roads.
“When harvest gets going properly, dry conditions will mean there is dust on country roads, and this will affect vision of tail lights and judgment of distances,” he said.
“With any late rains, spray will also affect vision.
“Don’t overtake if you can’t see through dust or spray.”
Toodyay RoadWise committee member Bob Neville said members of the public should take extra care at this time of the year.
“All road users must be aware of what is happening, slow down and have their lights on at all times,’ he said.
“A lot of patience is needed so it is important to remember this and not to cross the double white lines.
“If we all be patient and aware of others, hopefully we will have no incidents on the road.”
For more information on road safety head to the Toodyay Roadwise Committee website at http://www.roadwise.asn.au.
Alternatively call the Northam Shire on 9622 6100.
