SkyTrain for Surrey, not LRT!

November 3, 2017 – Surrey, BC

TransLink has released a new survey to gather input from stakeholders as part of the “environmental and socio-economic review process” for the Surrey-Newton-Guildford Light Rail project. This is an incredible opportunity to not only voice your opposition, but outline the specific issues as to why this project is impractical for our city and a mistake for our region.

We have heard from observers in the community who have told us that these surveys are hard to find, hard to complete, or discouragingly long. Remember that if you have any opinions on the LRT, that suggests you have a socio-economic concern about it. It is IMPORTANT that we come together to share these concerns.

LRT Environmental and socio-economic review survey guide
An Online Survey to collect input as part of the “environmental and socio-economic review process” for the Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT project. Specifically, TransLink and the City want your comments on the Environmental Review Process Summary (PDF) and Draft Terms of Reference (PDF).

The survey is available until November 6, 2017.

You may access it at the following link:
translink.checkbox.ca/environmental-and-socioeconomic-review-.aspx
* This link will open in a new window

When the survey opens, you will be presented with a list of check-boxes to indicate which areas you would like to comment on. Please check as many as you feel you can fill out – preferably all of them.

You will then be asked to type your comments in several blank boxes. These may seem intimidating, but we encourage you to take your time and provide as much input as you can on these issue areas. Here is a sample list of issues to bring up:

Socio-economic impacts:

  • Added congestion in our communities (esp. 104 Ave)
  • Community vibrancy, productivity, prosperity negatively impacted due to a congested community
  • Access hurdles: Tracks blocking or restricting access to business fronts, restricted access to boulevards, reduced street parking to allow for tracks, etc.
  • Impacts to Hjorth Road School facilities as noted by Surrey School Board

Fisheries and aquatics, Vegetation and wildlife, contaminated sites:

  • LRT-related projects are set to cause major damage to vegetation, wildlife habitats, and aquatic ecosystems in Hawthorne Park. Emphasize that the Hawthorne Park issues MUST be part of the SNG LRT environmental review process
  • Pollution impact from congestion on LRT corridors and added traffic close to park & wildlife areas

Noise and vibration:

  • Trains passing through curves can cause loud and disruptive squeaking/squealing noise (a major issue in cities such as Calgary)

Air quality and GHG emissions:

  • Air quality improvements offset by massive congestion on roads where capacity is reduced for LRT
  • Technology selection should have better considered that buses, like LRT trains, can also be electrically powered (trolley, battery-electric)

Additional suggested comments:

  • TransLink should cancel the Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT project in favour of Bus Rapid Transit/BRT on King George Blvd & 104 Ave. A BRT project is capable of producing ALL of the travel time savings and development outcomes of a Light Rail system
  • A BRT project offers more construction flexibility to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with the current Light Rail plan
  • Redirecting SNG LRT project funds to an Expo Line: SkyTrain extension would offer higher environmental/socio-economic benefits for South Fraser region

Again, we encourage you to please fill out this survey. This is an important opportunity for YOU to voice your opposition to Surrey’s street-level Light Rail and the Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT line.

Voice Your Opposition: LRT survey for “environmental and socio-economic review”

November 3, 2017 – Surrey, BC

TransLink has released a new survey to gather input from stakeholders as part of the “environmental and socio-economic review process” for the Surrey-Newton-Guildford Light Rail project. This is an incredible opportunity to not only voice your opposition, but outline the specific issues as to why this project is impractical for our city and a mistake for our region.

We have heard from observers in the community who have told us that these surveys are hard to find, hard to complete, or discouragingly long. Remember that if you have any opinions on the LRT, that suggests you have a socio-economic concern about it. It is IMPORTANT that we come together to share these concerns.

LRT Environmental and socio-economic review survey guide
An Online Survey to collect input as part of the “environmental and socio-economic review process” for the Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT project. Specifically, TransLink and the City want your comments on the Environmental Review Process Summary (PDF) and Draft Terms of Reference (PDF).

The survey is available until November 6, 2017.

You may access it at the following link:
translink.checkbox.ca/environmental-and-socioeconomic-review-.aspx
* This link will open in a new window

When the survey opens, you will be presented with a list of check-boxes to indicate which areas you would like to comment on. Please check as many as you feel you can fill out – preferably all of them.

You will then be asked to type your comments in several blank boxes. These may seem intimidating, but we encourage you to take your time and provide as much input as you can on these issue areas. Here is a sample list of issues to bring up:

Socio-economic impacts:

  • Added congestion in our communities (esp. 104 Ave)
  • Community vibrancy, productivity, prosperity negatively impacted due to a congested community
  • Access hurdles: Tracks blocking or restricting access to business fronts, restricted access to boulevards, reduced street parking to allow for tracks, etc.
  • Impacts to Hjorth Road School facilities as noted by Surrey School Board

Fisheries and aquatics, Vegetation and wildlife, contaminated sites:

  • LRT-related projects are set to cause major damage to vegetation, wildlife habitats, and aquatic ecosystems in Hawthorne Park. Emphasize that the Hawthorne Park issues MUST be part of the SNG LRT environmental review process
  • Pollution impact from congestion on LRT corridors and added traffic close to park & wildlife areas

Noise and vibration:

  • Trains passing through curves can cause loud and disruptive squeaking/squealing noise (a major issue in cities such as Calgary)

Air quality and GHG emissions:

  • Air quality improvements offset by massive congestion on roads where capacity is reduced for LRT
  • Technology selection should have better considered that buses, like LRT trains, can also be electrically powered (trolley, battery-electric)

Additional suggested comments:

  • TransLink should cancel the Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT project in favour of Bus Rapid Transit/BRT on King George Blvd & 104 Ave. A BRT project is capable of producing ALL of the travel time savings and development outcomes of a Light Rail system
  • A BRT project offers more construction flexibility to mitigate the environmental impacts associated with the current Light Rail plan
  • Redirecting SNG LRT project funds to an Expo Line: SkyTrain extension would offer higher environmental/socio-economic benefits for South Fraser region

Again, we encourage you to please fill out this survey. This is an important opportunity for YOU to voice your opposition to Surrey’s street-level Light Rail and the Surrey-Newton-Guildford LRT line.

Voice Your Opposition: LRT survey for “environmental and socio-economic review”