Train whistle study looks at silencing night time blasts

A city councillor says Halifax is looking into whether trains can be stopped from blowing their whistles at night in downtown Dartmouth.

An engineering study will soon get underway to investigate the need for train whistles in the area.

Gloria McCluskey says she's been getting complaints from residents about trains sounding three or four times a night and disrupting their sleep.

There are several groups of people in that neighbourhood who are suffering from the same lack of sleep because of the whistle, she said.

The District 5 councillor says the train whistles are required for safety reasons, although she has been considering asking for a report on an anti-whistle bylaw.

McCluskey says city staff are already working with CN Rail and the developer of King's Wharf on a report.

In order for the whistle to be stopped we would have to do an engineering study to show that it would be safe without the whistle. I think it can be safe because there are other safety measures such as flashing lights, she said.

She says Dartmouth used to have an anti-whistle bylaw for the Alderney Landing area butit has since been repealed.