A long BC Rail train in the Fraser Canyon - Date/Photographer unknown.

26 January 2012

Long Trains Have Big Impact on Community

Langley British Columbia - Editor:  Re:  "Long Trains On the Way," (editorial, The Times, 12 Jan 2012).
 
VALTAC and many other individuals and groups presented information and anticipated this move to long trains coming through Langley. This scenario was questioned. But politics seemed to shut out common sense.
 
If these trains are going to be super long, it has an impact on the viability and safety of the area. One stopped train could potentially interrupt all crossings in Langley City and many in the Township at once.
 
How will the frequent interruption of traffic by trains affect synchronized traffic lights? There is likely to be constant mayhem.
 
This issue cannot be overlooked by local municipal staff. But it appears there is little thought being given to the future. When the track through Langley was chosen as the route to the port, it was the height of folly.
 
Almost 50 years later, it appears that nothing has been learned. It is obvious what has evolved. To accommodate this volume of rail traffic through an area that houses this many people, is a business and retail hub, and features major roads and provincial highways, is totally insane.
 
The proposed overpasses will not be adequate to resolve the gridlock. The Roberts Bank Rail Corridor program is merely to appease. How can the councils of the two Langleys endorse such a plan? Whom do they represent, their citizens, or the power broker status quo?
 
Canadian Pacific Railway and Deltaport are private business entities, and have every right to seek out a good deal. But it appears that point is lost on local administrators. They were sold a pig in a poke, and have sold out Langley residents with their appeasement.
 
The power brokers could care less about the inconvenience to Langley residents from long and frequent trains, as long as they achieve their own goals.
 
Perhaps BC Conservative leader John Cummins had it right, when he told me, "They don't give a rat's ass about us."
 
That has been proven time and time again.
 
Harvey Schultz.