Latest news with #railSafety
CTV News
14 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Advocate calls for better rail safety on 12th anniversary of Lac-Mégantic disaster
Smoke rises from railway cars that were carrying crude oil after derailing in downtown Lac-Mégantic, Que., Saturday, July 6, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson MONTREAL — As citizens of Lac-Mégantic, Que., marked the 12th anniversary of a rail disaster that killed 47 people when a runaway train derailed and smashed into downtown, an advocate warned that more needs to be done to ensure rail safety. On Sunday, the town lowered flags to half-mast, laid flowers and organized a moment of silence to commemorate the July 6, 2013, tragedy. Officials also asked that the rail company not run trains through the area out of respect for the victims. But spokesman for a citizens' rail safety group believes not enough has been done to ensure the town's some 6,000 residents are safe from future disasters. Robert Bellefleur says trains have become longer and heavier, while a long-promised bypass to divert them from the city's core has not been built. 'Before, trains were about 80 wagons long on are now more than 200 wagons, are more than 15,000 feet long with big locomotives that often weigh more than 150 tonnes,' said Bellefleur, who is a spokesman for a group of citizens who are working ensure better rail safety in Lac-Mégantic These 'monster' trains are travelling on rails lines built between 1880 and 1920 'for trains that were much lighter and much smaller,' Bellefleur said. He believes trains are more dangerous now than at the start of the 2000s, and 'it's not just Lac-Mégantic that's at risk.' In recent months, he said citizens have noticed wear and erosion around railway culverts near the town's entrance, which is 'nothing to reassure citizens,' Bellefleur said. The Canadian Pacific Kansas City railway sent workers to the site, he said. In a statement, CPKC said the tracks are in good shape and well-maintained. 'The rail line running through Lac-Mégantic is safe for rail operations, as confirmed by numerous regular inspections, including one carried out on Saturday,' said company spokesperson André Hannoush in an email. The 2013 derailment and fire destroyed much of the downtown core, forced about 2,000 people to evacuate their homes and spilled some six million litres of crude oil into the environment. The disaster happened when the brakes failed on a train parked in nearby Nantes and it barrelled down a slope and exploded in the heart of town. In 2018, the federal and provincial governments committed to joint funding for a rail bypass to send trains around Lac-Mégantic's downtown. While land expropriations took place in 2023, the Canadian Transportation Agency has yet to greenlight construction and has requested additional information on the project's environmental impacts. Some citizens in Lac-Mégantic and neighbouring communities have also become opposed to the bypass, citing concern with the route, cost and potential damage to wetlands and water supplies. Transport Minister Chrystia Freeland issued a statement on Sunday marking the anniversary, and saluting the courage of 'an entire community that, year after year, continues to rebuild itself with dignity and resilience.' She said the bypass was one of her priorities, and promised to work with the communities until it's completed. Bellefleur, for his part, said Freeland is the sixth federal transport minister to make such promises. 'In that time, the years go by,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2025. Audrey Sanikopoulos and Morgan Lowrie, The Canadian Press
BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Watchdog flags level crossing risk after Sunderland Metro crash
A rail watchdog has highlighted the risk pedestrians face at some level crossings after a person was hit by a Metro accident happened on the Blue Horse Lane footpath in Sunderland on 18 April, according to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).A preliminary investigation by the watchdog found there was a risk at the site that an approaching train may be hidden to a pedestrian by a previously passing train. However, RAIB found there was signage to warn people about this hazard. Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus said it was "reassured" by this finding. The watchdog said the crash was similar to one which occurred in Surrey in April 2022, causing the death of an 85-year-old investigation into that crash led to Network Rail fitting new signage to all level crossings with two lines or more. These signs read: "Oncoming trains can be hidden by other trains" as well as containing a warning for users "not to cross until all lines are clear".It said this signage had been fitted at Blue Horse Lane footpath at the time of the crash. 'Be alert at crossings' RAIB said the driver of the Metro train had been able to apply the emergency brake before hitting the pedestrian on the crossing. Nevertheless the walker suffered "serious injuries", it said. Due to the watchdog's earlier report about the risk of trains being hidden by other trains at some level crossings, RAIB said it was unlikely that a full investigation into this latest crash would lead to any new safety improvement meant it would not investigate further, though it did say it had written to the Office for Rail and Rail (ORR) to "draw attention" to the crash and highlight the industry's "current and future management of this known risk". Nexus urged members of the public to follow the guidance of signs and stay alert at foot crossings."Our thoughts and best wishes remain with those involved in the incident on 18 April," it ORR said its investigation into the crash, which was separate from RAIB's, was still ongoing and therefore it could not comment. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
