Nanaimo council supports rails to trails movement
NANAIMO — The majority of Nanaimo’s council is on board with the idea of converting the E&N rail line to a multi-use trail.
Council endorsed a motion by coun. Bill Bestwick calling on the Island Corridor Foundation (ICF) to coordinate with Friends of Rails to Trails Vancouver Island (FORTVI) to work towards replacing the largely dormant rail line with a recreational trail.
Bestwick voiced concern over the cost of the rail line to Nanaimo taxpayers and his belief it’s unlikely the service will ever return “in a productive fashion.”
“I’d like us to entertain an initiative that would steer the rails to trails people to the Island Corridor to have the conversation…Without talking we’ll never find out if there’s a potential opportunity,” Bestwick said.