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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, March 26, 2014 | 4 Mom of teen killed on tracks calls for change by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff The mother of a Burlington teen killed by a train near Appleby Line in 1998 is calling for more action to ensure pedestrian railway safety, particularly in Oakville. Former Hamilton Spectator reporter Denise Davy spoke before Halton Region's Planning and Public Works Committee last week. She discussed how she believes a lack of fencing along Halton's tracks, and other potential safety measures, have resulted in a high number of deaths and injuries. "I actually first contacted Councillor (Cathy) Duddeck about this issue on Dec. 28 because yet another person had been killed the day before by a train in Oakville," she said. "For every person who has been killed by a train, many more have been impacted. There are the family members, who have lost loved ones, as well as rail employees, who, in some cases, have suffered so much trauma they have been unable to return to work." Davy said in 1998, her son, Ryan, was killed by a train. The Burlington resident said she is determined to stop other parents from having to endure what she did. In speaking with Transport Canada, Davy said she learned that between 2009-2013 there were nine fatalities on Oakville tracks. She said she brought her concerns before Burlington city council last year after four rail deaths in that city and two in Oakville occurred between August 2012 and February 2013. "Like Burlington, Oakville has this perfect storm of factors that come together to create these tragedies," said Davy. "Tracks run right through the city. Stores and homes have been built far too close to the tracks and we have a high number of trains." Despite residents getting closer to the rail lines, rail safety measures have not increased with many Halton tracks not separated from the community by fencing, she noted. Davy said the tracks near the Fourth Line/ Speers Road crossing, which have been the scene of many deaths over the years, have no fencing. The problem is not only in Halton, she said, with pedestrian fatalities being the leading train-related deaths across the country, far outnumbering the number of people killed in derailments or in vehicles at crossings. The former reporter called for more fencing, lighting and signs to be added to the Lakeshore West lines, which run from Toronto to Hamilton, and argued if there were regular traffic deaths at a road intersection, action would be taken to find the problem and correct it. Davy added there is a complacency about A CN Police officer speaks to a driver about rail safety the pedestrian rail deaths because of the misduring a safety blitz at the Burloak Drive level crossing conception many are suicides, which safety last fall.| Oakville Beaver file photo measures may not have prevented. She noted when she approached Burlington council about this issue, it took action and worked with rail officials to not only repair damaged fencing along the Burlington rail corridor, but to add new fencing and signs advising those who are thinking about ending their lives to contact Halton's Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST). COAST provides residents (aged 16 and over) dealing with mental health issues, who are in crisis, with outreach and support and can be reached at its 24/7 hotline at 1-877-8259011. "I am very much hoping members of this committee will agree to look at these initiatives and implement them as soon as possible," said Davy. Regional staff pointed out railway safety in Canada is governed under federal legislation and administrated through Transport Canada. Burlington Mayor Rick Goldring noted that while improving rail safety may not technically be the role of the municipality, he said municipalities could coordinate efforts with CN, VIA, GO Transit and others to get safety measures in place. In a report to council, the Region's Commissioner of Public Works Mitch Zamojc said staff would review all Regional lands and facilities adjacent to railway corridors and provide recommendations concerning any site where specific work may be required. Join COMING SOON TO OAKVILLE EXCLUSIVE MEMBERSHIP REWARDS PROGRAM Brought to you by: Reward your carrier while rewarding yourself with amazing deals! POVERTYNEVERRESTS Can't afford lunch most days Is home alone aer school Has trouble fing in Parents split up last year Reward your carrier while rewarding yourself! 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