Photo credit: globalnews.ca
Chilliwack Residents Battling Sleepless Nights Due to Train Noise
Residents of Chilliwack, British Columbia, are voicing their frustrations over the disturbances caused by train horns that frequently echo through their community, leading to disrupted sleep and growing concerns about the impact on health and well-being.
Ian Pippin, a local resident near the CN Rail tracks, shared his struggles, stating, “You don’t get much sleep because, by the time you get back to sleep half an hour later, there’s another one coming.” The situation has prompted comments like, “OK Chilliwack, time to wake up,” highlighting the relentless nature of the noise.
The issue of train noise isn’t new, but the recent frequency of horns seems to have escalated, raising alarms among many in the area.
This heightened alarm followed a tragic incident on June 7, which resulted in a pedestrian death at a crossing near Eagle Landing Parkway. In response, Transport Canada issued a ‘slow order’ for CN Rail, requiring reduced train speeds and mandating a “3-second continuous whistle” at specific points throughout an eight-kilometre stretch. The company was also asked to provide a corrective action plan to the authorities.
Impact on Residents
Pippin highlighted that his daughter, who has Asperger’s syndrome, has been forced to stay with her mother in the Okanagan for the summer due to the incessant noise. “She says, ‘These trains keep waking me up every night and I can’t sleep,’” Pippin relayed, indicating a significant impact on his family’s quality of life.
Another resident, Azul Gomez, echoed these sentiments, explaining how the horns disrupt her children’s sleep patterns, especially during the early morning hours. “It’s hard for the kids to go to sleep when there’s a big honking horn right at the window,” she said, urging authorities to reconsider the protocols in place, particularly as the new school year approaches.
Company Response and Ongoing Efforts
In response to the criticisms, CN stated that an anti-whistling agreement at crossings is still in effect and that they are actively working on enhancing safety measures in the area. These efforts include improved signage, repaired fencing, and community education initiatives. “CN continues to work with the city of Chilliwack and other partner organizations to come to a solution that increases rail safety in Chilliwack while also continuing to provide reliable service to our customers,” the company remarked.
Chilliwack Mayor Ken Popove acknowledged CN’s recent engagement efforts, which included a guided tour of the rail corridor to showcase ongoing safety improvements. However, he cautioned that a return to peaceful nights might still be some time away. “We really want to get these whistles stopped, but Transport Canada is really playing hardball with us; they want to see all the work being done,” he stated. Popove emphasized the importance of finding a resolution for residents who are struggling to cope with the noise.
Pippin has called for direct conversations between Transport Canada, CN, and the local community to better understand the adverse effects the train noise is causing. “Maybe we can come up with something that’s going to work,” he suggested. He believes the current approach falls short of addressing the community’s concerns, describing the noise as “just annoying everyone.”
As Chilliwack residents await a resolution, the collective hope is that steps will be taken soon to restore peace and quiet to their nights.
Source
globalnews.ca