A Canadian National train in New Westminster.

15 September 2011

Quayside Rail Noise Fight Goes to Court on Tuesday

New Westminster British Columbia - The Quayside Community Board will finally make its case in court next Tuesday, 20 Sep 2011, when they'll tell the Canadian Federal Court of Appeal all about sleepless nights due to railway companies operating in "their backyard," according to a press release by the QCB.
 
The QCB, along with the Canadian Transportation Agency, are fighting an appeal by the CN Rail, CP Rail, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, and Southern Railway train companies operating at Quayside and claiming they don't have to follow noise reduction guidelines set by the CTA.
 
"In our opinion, for individuals and communities across Canada currently being negatively affected by railway noise and vibration, the pending outcome of a precedent-setting case to be heard by the Federal Court of Appeal will be of enormous, nationwide significance," states the QCB, which has spearheaded the initiative since 2008.
 
At that time, the CTA mediated a settlement between the community group and the rail companies for noise reduction.
 
But the companies did not keep their end of the bargain, and in 2010 the QCB filed a complaint requesting that the CTA create guidelines for restricting train operation between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. The CTA agreed to do so, but the rail companies filed an appeal with the federal court.
 
The Quayside Board will also be speaking for communities in Queensborough, New West mayoral candidate QCB president James Crosty, and chair Brian Allen have been leading this initiative. They'll meet anyone interested in following the proceedings in the lobby of the courthouse, 701 W. Georgia St., courtroom 601 on Tuesday 20 Sep 2011, between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. Proceedings are from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in courtroom 601.
 
Helen Polychronakos.