February 2, 2007

BLBA requests meeting over rail line abandonment

Ken Partridge

The Burnside News

Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) staff is recommending the city not take over the CN rail line known as the Chester Spur.

CN is in the process of abandoning the rail line and part of the process involves offering it to the city at cost. Just four companies currently use the Chester Spur to bring in and ship out material by rail to the Port of Halifax. The rail line runs through the Bayers Lake Business Park and into the Lakeside Industrial Park.

The staff report sees little value in retaining the under-utilized line, but does recommend the city acquire the land for other uses, such as extending the Beechville/Lakeside/Timberlea trail system into the heart of the city.

However, the Bayers Lake Business Association (BLBA) has a slightly different view. In a letter to area councillor Mary Wile, the Association’s Vice Chair Brian Pestill says more consultation is needed with area businesses before the line is abandoned, especially if there’s a chance it could lead to a “significant loss in competitiveness.”

Pestill is asking for HRM staff to meet with the Association to review other options for the rail line, including light rail transit and mixed transit and cargo use.

“HRM staff has identified three potential opportunities of municipal interest. I believe other viable opportunities may exist,” Pestill says.“For example, throughout the report I get the impression of 'single owner-single purpose' usage. With that focus, it may be very difficult to 'cost justify' the existence of this spur line. Maybe a shared usage and therefore shared cost maintenance of this spur line would be more appropriate for consideration.”

In addition to meeting with the Association executive, Pestill is also requesting HRM staff attend the Association’s annual general meeting so representatives from local businesses in both Bayers Lake and Lakeside can hear first-hand what is being proposed and have the opportunity to provide feedback.