29 May 2010

Chamber Seeks Rail Meeting

Enderby British Columbia - The fight to save a North Okanagan rail line is going right to the top.
 
The Enderby Chamber of Commerce is seeking a meeting with Transportation Minister Shirley Bond to discuss the future of the track between Armstrong and Sicamous.
 
"I, and the business and trade associations with which I am working, would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you directly about what the government of B.C. could do to address this urgent problem," said Tate Bengston, chamber executive director, in a letter to the minister and both local MLAs.
 
Canadian Pacific Railway and its carrier, Okanagan Valley Railway, ceased operating the shortline between Armstrong and Sicamous 31 Aug 2010.
 
"Per the Canada Transportation Act's rules on decommissioning a rail line, the private negotiation period for the Armstrong-Sicamous shortline concludes on or before 7 Jun 2010," said Bengston.
 
"The private negotiation process will almost certainly not result in a sale. At this point, the shortline railway will be referred to the provincial government for purchase at the assessed salvage value. This section of rail will not be referred to the federal government."
 
Bengston fears that the railway loss could become permanent, and that will constrain industrial growth for the entire North Okanagan.
 
"New or expanding businesses requiring rail service will no longer consider our area, which is one of very few in the North Okanagan with serviced industrial land adjacent to the railway," he said
 
"Existing businesses which rely on rail service will relocate elsewhere or cease to exist. Moreover, as supplier businesses relocate or close, it will put existing economic sectors, notably agriculture, at a competitive disadvantage."
 
According to Bengston, Kelowna Pacific Railway has expressed interest in providing service along this line.
 
"Per the Transportation Act's rules for decommissioning a rail line, and in the likely absence of a private sale, the government of B.C. needs to purchase the railway if KPR is to provide service. In short, the government of B.C. is our last, best hope for restoring rail service."
 
In his letter, Bengston urges Bond to purchase the land when the opportunity arises.
 
"This will preserve the integrity of the corridor for rail service," he said.