WATCH: While the city continues to fight for the land, residents watch their green patches being bulldozed on the Arbutus Rail Corridor. John Hua has more.
With a BC Supreme Court ruling in its favour, CP Rail resumed removal work along the Arbutus Rail Corridor Tuesday.
The clearout is the latest move by CP Rail in its battle with the City of Vancouver.
CP is hoping to sell the 11-kilometre stretch of land for $100 million. The City countered with a $20 million offer. When the two parties could not agree on a price, CP Rail began to clear the corridor in August.
READ MORE: Removal work resumes Tuesday on Arbutus Rail Corridor
In a statement, CP Rail writes:
“For many years now, CP has been involved in conversations to convert the Arbutus Corridor for a number of combined public uses…Despite our efforts, the company and other parties have been unable to achieve a plan for the disposition of this valuable asset.”
So instead, it will clear the tracks over the next four weeks and use it for rail car storage.
READ MORE: Rail company wants tracks on Arbutus Corridor cleared of property
The City of Vancouver responded with its own statement:
“The City is continuing to review its options in light of the court’s decision. We are preparing an application to the Canadian Transportation Agency regarding our concerns about any reactivation of trains by CP along the Arbutus Corridor.”
As for residents, they say they’re tired of being caught in the middle of a fight between the city and the rail company.
-with files from John Hua and Paula Baker
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