July 30 2013
Times Colonist
To the Editor
Thank you for your article, ‘E&N Rail Trail slowly taking shape’. An important piece of information inadvertently missed was the fact the E&N Trail is a direct result of the Island Corridor Foundation being able to secure the entire rail corridor, Victoria to Courtenay, from CPR.
A close working relationship between the CRD Parks team, the ICF and Southern Rail of Vancouver Island has resulted in trail design standards that allows for trail construction in an active rail corridor.
Your readers should also know that similar trail construction is taking place through the Cowichan Valley Regional District, the Regional District of Nanaimo and Courtenay. When complete one will be able to hike or bike from Victoria to Courtenay.
The new train promised by VIA will also have bicycle carrying capacity.
The ICF’s two primary objectives are to facilitate the construction of trails and sustain and improve rail service. Contrary to your letter writer, ’E&N won’t work for commuters’, the ICF is not in the business of operating trains. ICF has an agreement with Southern Rail of Vancouver Island to operate the trains.
Graham Bruce, CEO
Island Corridor Foundation
250 246 4320
250 210 0411 – cell
