In December 2014, the City of New Westminster issued a train whistle cessation update stating that the city has “been working closely with Transport Canada and the four railway companies operating in the city towards eliminating the use of locomotive whistling within city limits.”
In the seven years since the update, the city has eliminated whistling at four of the 22 crossings within the city. With respect to three of the busiest crossings in the city, those in the Sapperton neighbourhood, safety audits have been completed which identified a number complex issues but whistle cessation “can be achieved at the Cumberland Street crossing as minimal upgrades are required with a possible completion date in 2015.”
These three crossings (Braid, Spruce Street and Cumberland) pass by Royal Columbian Hospital, as well as several new residential towers. Once can only imagine how patients in RCH and those in the nearby residences enjoy having train whistles blowing at all hours, especially when trying to get to sleep at night.
Some must wonder how many of these same trains can pass through Burnaby without blowing their whistles. Is it because their city council has actually taken the necessary steps to eliminate whistling within their city limits instead of making empty statements of intent?
David Thomson, New Westminster
*This letter to the editor was originally published in the New West Record newspaper on April 2, 2022