September 2007

Future of rail line presents opportunity, says Fairview MLA

Graham Steele, MLA

Chebucto and Parkview News

CN is in the process of abandoning the rail line that runs from behind the Joseph Howe Superstore out to Bayers Lake. This is the line runs along Joseph Howe Drive, past the entrance to the Old Ashburn golf course, across Springvale Avenue, then along Crown Drive and out to Bayers Lake. For historical reasons, it is known as "the Chester spur."

The future of the line is of great interest to people who live near it. I am committed to learning as much as I can about the abandonment process, and keeping local residents informed at every step of the way.

In late July I sent a letter to every home near the track. The letter can be viewed on my website (www.grahamsteele.ca), along with all the other information I have. I will keep this portion of my website updated continually, as new information becomes available.

The first step in the abandonment process is for CN to attempt to find someone who is willing to operate the line on a commercial basis. I was informed by CN on August 16th that no-one has stepped forward. That is not a surprise, as there are only a handful of companies in the Bayers Lake and Lakeside Industrial Parks that use the line. Traffic now averages less than one trainload per day. The Halifax Regional Municipality has already decided that it is not financially feasible to operate commuter trains on the line.

The next step in the abandonment process is for CN to offer the line to the three levels of government (federal, provincial, municipal). I have been informed by CN that these formal offers are likely to go out in early September. There is a deadline for a response.

Any government wishing to take over the line (or to be precise, the "right-of-way", which is the railbed without the rails) can use the line for any purpose. The most likely outcome, in my opinion, is that the municipality will co-operate with the province to develop the line for recreational purposes. This is known as a "rails to trails" project. An excellent local example is the Beechville-Lakeside-Timberlea (BLT) trail system, which was developed by a volunteer community group when that portion of the rail line was abandoned. In fact, the Chester spur connects directly to the BLT trail (13 km), which in turn connects directly to the St Margaret's Bay trail (32 km).

Personally, I think it would be a very exciting prospect to have a recreational, off-road trail for walking and biking that stretches from Joseph Howe Drive out to St Margaret's Bay. We have a real opportunity here. However, no final decision will be made without community consultation. If you have any input on this issue, now is the time to be heard. By all times let me know what you think. My contact information is in the ad on this page.