SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT
REGARDING DEC/08
RAIL YARD MEDIATION

Five Points of Agreement in Mediation
including a common complaints phone number to call.....

The Quayside Community Board recently participated in a two-day mediation session with all the rail companies currently operating in the railway yard adjacent to our community.  The three-member team from the QCB would like to express thanks on behalf of the QCB membership to all the representatives that participated in the December 2008 mediation process with the Canadian Transportation Agency.
We are very pleased we were able to reach a mediated settlement that includes the following:

1. An Operating Bulletin with common operating standards to be issued and followed by all the rail company employees.  Setting specific procedures and policies that will help reduce issues related to our complaint.
2. The establishment of a common complaint line – 604-527-6360 active now.
3. A Handout for local residents regarding local rail operations to assist in the understanding and workings of the rail yard – to be issued in early 2009.
4. The quarterly review of logistics/scheduling in the New Westminster yard.
5. The regular reporting of complaints, complaint resolution and logistical/scheduling reviews to the Quayside Community Board designated contact.

We are very hopeful these rail company initiatives will eliminate the unreasonable noise and vibrations that have been generated by the rail company operations in the New Westminster yard.  Further we are extremely pleased with the rapport established with all the rail companies and this process for communication.
Special thanks to Brian and George Allen both of whom have worked over the last 12 years to bring this issue forward on behalf of the residents of the Quayside area. 

The designated contact will be Brian Allen, Railway Committee Chair Quayside Community Board (QCB).  You can contact Brian at brian.allen@blackshire.com or email info@quaysideboard.com.

James Crosty,
President, Quayside Community Board                                                                 Posted Jan/09