27 August 2005
Residents Reminded to Stay Off CPR Tracks
Port Moody - The average train weighs 110 tonnes and needs more than a kilometre to stop.
That's why the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) and the City of Port Moody want to make sure residents aren't using the rail tracks as
a recreational pathway.
Some residents use the tracks for activities like walking their dogs or jogging, which results in reports of near misses from train
crews.
"We are asking people to stay away from the tracks, because not only is being on CPR's right-of-way against the
law, it's a danger with the potential for deadly consequences," CPR spokesperson Rick Poznikoff said in a news release.
According to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada, 101 people were killed or seriously injured in pedestrian-train
collisions in 2004.
Fourteen of those collisions happened in B.C.
Also in 2004, 67 people were killed and 34 were injured while trespassing on railway property.
"We are echoing CPR's concerns and are asking residents to use the many other scenic pathways available for their
enjoyment," said Port Moody Mayor Joe Trasolini.
The safety message comes partly in response to increased transportation demands to support businesses in the Lower Mainland, B.C. and
all of Canada.
"The saying "train time is anytime" is very relevant since a train could be in the area at any time of the day as our
company responds to Port Moody-based businesses and industry," Poznikoff said.
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