Drivers have become complacent about stopping at the sign following the closure of the Patrick freight terminal some years ago.

With the gates locked and the rail line empty, businesses in the area lobbied to have the stop sign removed.

However, the sign remained and now many people are in the habit of just ignoring it altogether – which could cost a life.

Tablelands Area road safety officer Iris Dorsett said with the rail line re-opening on Thursday, it is vital that people stop at the sign.

“If you get this one wrong, you won’t get a second chance,” she said.

“Absolute care must be taken about driving through that crossing.”

Ms Dorsett said Pacific National and C3 Australia, both part of the Asciano Group of companies, will be running rail services from the old Patrick terminal at 95 Lee Street from Thursday.

The company has said at least three trains per week will be running in and out of the site, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. As a result, the gates for the rail crossing in Toronto Street will be reopened.

“There is a stop sign there, and now we want locals to be aware that train movements will be commencing,” Ms Dorsett said.

“They must stop at the sign.”

Bathurst Traffic Committee chairman Councillor Warren Aubin said since Patrick stopped operating there has been a strong call from businesspeople in the Kelso Industrial Estate to take the stop sign down.

But he said this couldn’t be done because while the business remained up for sale, the line was technically still active.

“It could have been used at any time,” he said.

“People have seen the gates closed and have gotten into the habit of not stopping at the stop sign.

“They have become apathetic about stopping because for a long time there were no trains.

“That could be catastrophic now that trains will be crossing the road again.”

Ms Dorsett said there will also be increasing truck movements in the area as vehicles load and unload.

In a move to raise awareness about the change to train movements on the rail line, Bathurst Regional Council will be undertaking new line marking early in the week.

Pacific National is also considering putting a digital signboard in place for a minimum of two weeks once the rail line is operational to advise motorists of the change.

Chifley Highway Patrol Sergeant Peter Foran has indicated police will be increasing their patrols of the area and will be vigorously enforcing the stop sign.

If someone fails to stop, the penalty will be a $311 fine and three points gone from their licence.

"Council will also be monitoring this stop sign very closely,” Ms Dorsett said.