Image Credit: The Canadian Press

By James Peters

Rail Issues

‘It is an active railyard’; CP Rail responds to noise complaints from Lorne Street residents

Jun 23, 2020 | 3:11 PM

KAMLOOPS — CP Rail says the City of Kamloops can take action on noise complaints by addressing its own zoning practices.

The company’s director of Indigenous relations and government affairs, Mike Lovecchio, attended Tuesday’s (June 23) Kamloops council meeting virtually from his home on Vancouver Island.

Lovecchio addressed a series of concerns brought forward by Kamloops residents and businesses, including noise from idling trains and railyard operations disrupting life for residents along Lorne Street.

The company tries to minimize idling as much as possible, said Lovecchio, as it would prefer its trains be on the move to their next destinations.

Beyond that, Lovecchio suggested the City should not be approving multi-family developments so close to a working railyard.

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of Sept. 30

Oct 05, 2024

Two and Out

PETERS: Four dogs will die and the owners responsible will get away with it

Oct 04, 2024

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: October 3, 2024

Oct 04, 2024

“There are steps that the City can take, such as adopting the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Railway Association of Canada proximity guidelines. It would influence new development in the city of Kamloops,” said Lovecchio. “They are guidelines, they are freely available online and I strongly encourage the City to take a look at them.”

While one side of the CP railyard in downtown Kamloops is lined by businesses along Lansdowne Street, the other side is lined by several residential condo buildings. That includes another condo building near the Red Bridge that is currently under construction.

“That building, like its neighbours, was not designed with the proximity guidelines in mind. I, candidly, believe we will hear from those future residents with concerns about noise emanating from Kamloops yard,” said Lovecchio.

“It is an active railyard; it will continue to be an active railyard.”