Put fencing near dangerous tracks

5/2/07
It’s a coincidence that two people died on the train tracks at nearly the same place in Stratford in the past week. But because the spot is at grade level and is described as a regular crossing area for adults and children, authorities should put up a fence to keep people away. The area has proven to be too dangerous to stay as it is.
Metro-North is saying they have no intention of putting up a barrier, reasoning that the only areas usually cordoned off are around schools or other areas where concern is high. But if concern is not high now, with two people dead in such a short time, it’s hard to imagine what it would take.
Metro-North owns a 10-foot right-of-way alongside the tracks, so it’s within its power to take action. If it doesn’t, Stratford has indicated that the town will, either by putting up fencing on town-owned property or by trying to persuade Metro-North to act, through the courts or otherwise. It’s a good idea, and shows that the town takes seriously the welfare of its residents.
There’s nothing that can be done to keep people safe all the time, and, sadly, people will continue to die on train tracks no matter what is done. It’s a fact that when there are high-speed trains running at ground level, people are going to get hurt from time to time. But just because we can’t stop every tragedy is no excuse not to take action where we can, and this spot has proven to be dangerous.
And it’s not as though putting up some fencing would break anyone’s bank. Done in the interest of saving lives, a little time and money is well worth the expense. There will always be dangers, but this is one that we can avoid in the future.