BEACONSFIELD – In a letter addressed to several West Island municipalities in late May, CP Rail announced it would be raising the speed limits on its tracks from 50 MPH to 60 MPH.
“We were simply asked to sign a waiver saying we acknowledge having received this and that it would take place 60 days after receiving the letter,” Beaconsfield Mayor Georges Bourelle said.
Bourelle is upset that CP didn’t consult the city on the speed limit increase, nor did it provide a risk analysis.
Almost three years after the Lac Mégantic disaster that claimed 47 lives, Bourelle’s primary concern is for safety.
“I’m very concerned for the residents,” he said.
“More speed, or increased speed, certainly increases the risk of accidents but it also increases the severity of an accident should it happen.”
In Pointe-Claire’s Valois Village, trains zoom through the commercial strip just meters away from shops, sidewalks and residences.
“The tracks are 15 feet away from us,” said Franca Kesic, who has been working at WIAIH in the Valois Village for 15 years.
“That is one of the things that really concerns me about the increase. It’s not an issue with regards to the noise level; it’s with regards to the speed that they’re actually going.”
Tom Delorme, a Beaconfield resident, lives close to the non-gated tracks and worries about those who cross them.
“I agree that it should be slower,” he said.
“I know people who have died on the tracks because they were taking shortcuts and they jumped and you don’t hear the train.”
Another concern is noise.
“It’s already noisy,” Bourelle said.
“But with increased speed, we can expect that the noise will be greater.”
He told Global News that many residents have voiced their concerns about the issues.
Last week, Beaconsfield City Council adopted a resolution denouncing the speed limit increase.
Although the city has no legal power to oppose the faster trains, Bourelle said it’s calling on government officials to intervene, and pleaing to CP Rail to slow them down.
“Do a little bit more consultation and ask us our opinion,” the mayor said.
“Give us some risk analysis so we know exactly what the situation is.”
CP Rail returned Global News’ request for comment Tuesday, stating: “CP is working to complete track and signal upgrades through the area of Beaconsfield that, once complete, will allow the regulated track speed to safely increase from 50 mph to 60 mph.”
“That said, key trains cannot travel at more than 40 MPH in this area, which remains unchanged…We are absolutely committed to operating safely.”
Nevertheless, Bourelle hopes to have the plan shut down before that question even needs to be debated.