Rails to Trails discussed

KAREN DANIELS
Press Staff Writer
Published December 24, 2003 10:46 AM CST

Eight ordinances were approved by London City Council Thursday, Dec. 18.

They covered budgets for 2004, appropriations, updated community housing investments, sewer expansion and a salary increase for the sewer superintendent.

Three other ordinances were left on the table pending further discussion. One of those continues to spur heated conversations -- the ordinance to close the First Street railroad grade crossing.

Bill Beathard, who will begin his council term in 2004, said there are pros and cons to the crossing's closing. He added that a petition is circulating in opposition.

"I'm asking that you give this the full three readings, so we can get more citizen input and council can make a more informed decision," Beathard told the current council.

The closing could be used as a negotiation tool for the city in working with Rails to Trails to have a bike path following a railbed from Midway Street to Walnut Street. If the city is not able to lease the crossing from Norfolk-Southern, cyclists will have to cross active tracks on First Street, ride through the city and back across Maple Street.

A combined meeting of street and safety committees met and recommended the closing of the First Street intersection. They concluded closing that crossing would be least likely to disrupt the safety forces of the city and commercial traffic.

Councilman Dick Minner said closing the crossing would effectively close not only the crossing, but the street.

Councilman Richard Meade said since the ordinance first appeared on the city council agenda, he observed the number of times he used the crossing.

"Not once have I been there by myself," Meade said. "City residents are using it. I don't want to not back Rails to Trails, but I think we want to be real careful about giving up any railroad crossing. I think we're being blackmailed by Norfolk-Southern."

Councilman Richard Gerard said that, while he respected the views of Minner and Meade, he also thought it was to the economic advantage of the city to help Rails to Trails get through town.

"If we had a trail that came clear through downtown London, we could benefit from business," Gerard said. "We could see great damage trying to navigate two live railroad tracks and city streets."

Councilwoman Betty Scott said the crossing closing was discussed as an option to help Rails to Trails and came from safety committee meetings because it seemed like the best solution, but said other options would be possible.

Councilman Ted Hankins said he had mixed emotions. A member of the Rails to Trails board, he said he would have to look at the interests of the people to see how other citizens felt.

Councilman Jim Canney suggested the fact that Rails to Trails is negotiating with the city is in itself a negotiating tool in their talks with the railroad. He said passing an actual ordinance would tie the city's hands.

"We have to take the wish of the people into consideration," Canney said. "We're elected to do that. We can't expect everything to pass at 100 percent."

Karen Daniels can be contacted at (740) 852-1616, 1-800-282-3838 or by e-mail at news6@madison-press.com