Train noise in New West spurs town hall meeting

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NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS1130) – People in New West are fed up with noise being caused by the city’s many rail lines, now they’re taking steps to do something about it.

Train noise is causing a number of complaints from residents and now all three levels of government are responding.

The city has a number of rail lines close to residential areas including Westminster Quay.

Local MP Peter Julian is hosting the town hall Thursday evening and says people have a right to be upset.

“We’re seeing a lot of shunting and idling even at 2 o’clock or 3 o’clock in the morning when you’ve got thousands of people living within a few hundred metres of the actual yard itself.”

The event aims to develop a strategy with all three levels of government.

He admits nothing else has worked so far.

“It doesn’t make sense the railways aren’t willing to cooperate and modify their activities but unfortunately, the railways have not been cooperative.”

New Westminster councillor Chuck Puchmayr says some concerns have been simmering for a while.

“For quite a few years, there has been a growing concern about whistling and whistle cessation is one of the things that we’re diligently working on as a city with the railways.”

He says most rules governing railways including noise restrictions happen at a federal level which is why it’s important for all levels to unite.

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