Survey finds Sydney, N.S., residents in favour of rail trail

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Posted this 2024-05-21 5:19 PM ADT

The section of abandoned rail line along Kings Road in Sydney, N.S. (Source: Ryan MacDonald/CTV News Atlantic) [Photo credit: CTV News Atlantic Journalist]

Survey finds Sydney, N.S., residents in favour of rail trail

A new study suggests the people who live closest to the abandoned rail line along Kings Road in Sydney, N.S., want to see them torn up to make it happen.

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Read more of the CTV's story HERE

SOURCE atlantic.ctvnews.ca

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Raymond Mac Donald Follow Me 2024-05-21 6:28 PM ADT Reply 2 0 Folks,especially local politicians ,who just won't let go of the Railroad Dream {light rail or commercial} are keeping us stuck in neutral.Time to let it go.That's what the majority of citizens have stated.If there are any funds available provincially or federally put it into something that makes sense like walking and biking infrastructure.We do not live in a dictatorship where politicians rule or at least I didn't think so.
Christine Bonnar Follow Me 2024-05-22 9:06 AM ADT Reply 2 1 “SURVEY SAYS”…….strange how I never get a call or contacted for a vote of any kind in Cape Breton! I say YES having the rail.. How are we ever going to progress if we have no rail. I just don’t understanding this thinking. We have to get into modern times instead of being left behind all the time. Martha Ross Follow Me 2024-05-24 8:16 PM ADT Reply 0 0 Christine Bonnar, I agree with you to have the rail, I think it would be wonderful for the communities in the CBRM, and including tourists who would love this for sight seeing. A multi used path along Sydney Harbour for walking and cycling will end up with multiple problems due to all-terrain vehicles. They find a way and take over, you hear about them in other areas causing nothing but misery for people living in those areas. Why hasn’t this been stopped and changes laid. The same thing will happen with a path along Sydney Harbour for walkers and cyclists. Mike Johnson Follow Me 2024-05-25 7:45 AM ADT Reply 0 0 Martha, all you have to do to eliminate ATVs, with which i agree, is designate it as an Active Trail, which they have done in PEI and is the case for the majority of the Trans Canada Trail. Btw, do either of you folks have an economic plan to justify $100 million (the initial estimate) for a light rail system for 90 million people, half of whom would live too far to walk to it. As you have stated for years, it would be much more effective to have an enhanced Bus and Transit service with better coverage. Plus you could use electric or hydrogen buses.
Mike Johnson Follow Me 2024-05-22 9:38 AM ADT Reply 2 0 There is absolutely no surprise here. The CB& CNS Railway has been a black hole for taxpayer's money, while stifling residential growth along Rte 223, and social development elsewhere for 30 years! Hopefully people are getting fed up with this financial boondoggle, and that the ownership arrogance will change under CN. An Active (no motors) Transportation Trail from the Suburbs to the City makes more sense than a $100 million commuter system for a population of 90k people, with only a fraction of those having access. If CBU wants better access for their students, then build another dormitory or low-cost housing on site.
Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness Follow Me 2024-05-22 10:33 AM ADT Reply 1 0 Both sided have merit but we are with Christine in the sense that more public input is needed. The NSEF is about bridging the gap between our communities and we (some in the group) feel that a light rail system connecting our communities will benefit everyone. Let us explain...The CBRM is so unique compared to other similar size municipalities across Canada as we are made up of a bunch of small towns under one umbrella with Sydney being the hub. We hate and detest the divide that has created and that helps us not be able to come together and fight for our entire municipality. We believe (some in our group) that a light rail system that connected the Northside, downtown , New Waterford, the University and Glace Bay together would benefit the larger municipality. Seniors could travel to medical appointments without driving, Students could rent anywhere in the municipality and still travel to CBU, and the communities being better connected would bring us together as what we are...one big, spread out amazing municipality who can finally grow and be inter-connected. The cruise ship passengers could easily jump on a light rail system and then travel quickly to the other areas of our massive municipalities and bring much needed tourism dollars to these communities. Imagine jumping on an electric train in Sydney and travel to North Sydney or Glace Bay and enjoy their downtowns and waterfronts. A light rail system connecting our communities could help bring us together, reduce carbon emissions, bring more revenue to the many towns that make up the CBRM and such a system could grow as needed. Just something to think about and we certainly can see all sides and points of this one. Mike Johnson Follow Me 2024-05-22 10:46 AM ADT Reply 1 0 I agree with nearly all of the social benefits of an electric rail system. Except that you still have to access it, it would still be a long walk for most, and there is no precedent anywhere for a profitable line that long spread across a population that small. If we wanted to 'connect' the communities, an enhanced 'commuter' bus service with more pickup points would be less expensive and more convenient. Plus, it wouldn't hurt if we actually elected a Mayor who had those 'connection' intentions and knew how to implement them. Mike Johnson Follow Me 2024-05-22 10:59 AM ADT Reply 1 0 Btw, if we had an Active Trail connecting all those communities and existing Trails at multiple points, any tourist, (or other mobile user), could rent (or buy) an E-bike and tour CBRM at their leisure. It would enhance tourism for minimal investment and the actual users would be paying.....with no subsidy! There are lots of octogenarians riding E-bikes in Florida and travelling 40-50 kms a day. You'd have to have a speed limit though as the darn things will now go 40km/hour! Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness Follow Me 2024-05-22 11:22 AM ADT Reply 2 0 Valid points but perhaps then they could study connecting the major towns like Glace Bay and North Sydney to downtown Sydney and grow as needed. We have long said that Cape Breton does not take full advantage of its tourism opportunities. We should investigate how much usage there is on the westside of this island on their former rail line that are all now active transportation trails. The beauty along the Bras d'Or trails is amazing and should be used by tourists to enjoy and respect. It would be interesting to know how many are using the trails between Mabou and the Causeway currently. Mike Johnson Follow Me 2024-05-23 7:25 PM ADT Reply 0 0 My wife and i have walked much of the Trail between Mabou and Troy. The sections near the populated areas near Mabou and Port Hood are quite busy, less so in between. Part of the Trail permits ATVs under speed restrictions, and though the ones we met were quite courteous, we know from articles in goCB that they are a menace near populated areas in CBRM. Few Active Trails In Canada allow motorized vehicles anywhere though the Confederation Trail in PEI allows snowmobiles for part of the Winter.
Raymond Mac Donald Follow Me 2024-05-22 11:33 AM ADT Reply 1 0 Bottom line:The days of heavy industry like coal and steel are over.Because of our location,off the beaten track,we will never again have a heavy industry base.Let's concentrate on tourism and hospitality like a lot of islands worldwide,which we are very good at and for that............we don't need trains. Nova Scotians for Equalization Fairness Follow Me 2024-05-22 12:20 PM ADT Reply 3 0 We have never fully developed our tourism industry potentials. The heavy industry has not been kind to Cape Breton anyway. We were exploited and used for resources and then cover all the damage over with a bit of dirt once there was nothing left to exploit. One thing is for sure....no one can take away our beauty, scenery or culture. We definitely see both sides of this argument.....we would like to see the communities of the CBRM connected somehow and we also see the benefit of an active transportation trail in the CBRM. Let's hope the community has some input into this decision.