The following is an “letter to the editor” in Friday’s province and I must give credit to Mr. Chris Cullen for his sensible views.
Zwei says; “Bulls-eye Mr. Cullen”, you have deduced the Arbutus question most logically!
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Rail is green
I am amused by all the concern over the Arbutus “green way” potentially being reactivated for freight-rail use.
The Canadian Pacific Railway’s intent with their information letters is almost certainly to bluff and wake up the westside Vancouver “crème de la crème” NIMBY police. The resulting cries of protest to spur city hall to come up with the money to buy the corridor is the obvious intent.
Molson was the last shipper on the line and would likely be the reason for its reactivation. In a city that professes to be the “greenest” in the world, I would assume that there would be at least one person aware that rail is by far the most efficient and “green” mode of transport. Such a switch would remove a sizable number of trucks from the roads every day.
So let’s stop with the alarmist garbage about evil, fire-breathing freight train out to destroy everyone’s quality of life (and property values) along the Arbutus corridor. The trains were there as long as anyone can recall; why has everyone assumed they would never be back?
This is almost certainly a bluff. However, if it turns out not to be, all the better, as far as I am concerned. Did it occur to anyone that having freight in the mix (only once a day) could help the argument and control costs to retain the line for some sort of public transport?
A heritage streetcar or light rail could be accommodated. It’s done in many places.
Having the tracks torn up and replaced with yet another mountain of condominiums is not in the public interest. Anyone losing sleep or crusading about the issue needs to give their head a shake.
Chris Cullen, North Vancouver