Editor:
I just read the results of your survey asking New West citizens if they are bothered by the train whistles ... apparently 59 per cent of people replied "no."
I would venture to guess that almost 100 per cent of that 59 per cent live nowhere near the train tracks.
I do live near the train tracks, very near a crossing. This crossing is equipped with clanging bells, flashing lights and barriers that come down as a train approaches and, yet, with all these warnings, most, but, not all, trains continue to blow their horns at varying noise levels and for varying lengths of time.
Because not every train blows their horn, it would appear it is a choice made by the engineer. It is particularly annoying and disheartening when this happens frequently at 1 or 2 or 3 a.m., particularly at the crossing nearest the hospital.
Perhaps another survey should be done asking only those living within hearing distance of the train whistles if they are bothered — I'm pretty sure the results would be very different.
Lou Hartig
đź“Ł SOUND OFF: Do you live within hearing distance of a railway crossing? Does the noise bother you? Send us a letter.
