The Editor:
On Jan. 1 at 4:10 a.m., yet another Ioco-Burnaby locomotive blasted its horn with a jarring disregard for the peace and quiet of the community.
This incident, sadly, exemplifies a growing trend of excessive and unnecessary horn use in recent years.
As a resident of Burnaby Mountain, I understand and respect the need for trains to comply with the Railway Safety Act (RSA) and sound their "whistles" at crossings and gradients.
However, the wanton abuse of this regulation at night is unacceptable. These loud blasts disrupt sleep patterns, constitute significant noise pollution, and negatively impact the social health and well-being of residents.
While some train operators demonstrate a degree of consideration by moderating horn usage during quieter hours, the incident on Jan. 1 exemplified a blatant disregard for the community.
The prolonged and unnecessary use of the horn at that hour amounted to a form of collective punishment, disturbing sleep and causing undue stress.
The RSA does provide a mechanism for municipalities to address these concerns. It allows for local bylaws that may override certain federal regulations regarding the use of train horns.
If railway operators cannot or will not respect the right of nearby residents to a peaceful night's rest, the authorities of Burnaby and Port Moody should consider implementing a ban on excessive horn use during specific hours, such as between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
To be clear: this is not about obstructing railway operations. It's about finding a reasonable balance between the needs of the railway industry and the rights of the communities it impacts.
Just as construction and other industries are subject to regulations that minimize noise pollution, railway carriers should be held accountable for mitigating the deleterious impact of their operations.
Failure to comply should result in appropriate fines and, ultimately, prohibitions on excessive horn use.
I urge the City of Burnaby and the City of Port Moody to take decisive action on this issue.
The health and well-being of neighbouring residents depend on it.
- Frank Duffy, Burnaby
