Regarding the article “Guildford residents get the B-Line blues,” The Leader, Sept. 19.
My heart goes out to Surrey residents bothered by noise on 105 Avenue. Sadly, they needn’t expect any sympathy from the folks at TransLlink or city hall.
Several years ago, while living in Richmond, my husband and I were in a similar situation.
TransLink set up a bus turnaround directly beneath our third-floor condo. Every few minutes, one of these articulated behemoths roared past our apartment, came to a squealing halt at a nearby stop sign, and then set off roaring once again.
The noise started at 5:30 a.m., waking us up, and went on well into the evening, keeping us awake. Our bed vibrated from the weight of the busses, and the stench from their exhaust permeated our place. We were forced to keep all our windows closed. And the lack of airflow was often unbearable.
Myself and another condo owner, who lived underneath us, complained to TransLink. Someone came out with a decibel-reading box, and promptly determined the noise was in the lawful range
I should mention that another resident of a nearby building had asthma, and the bus fumes wafting into his unit exacerbated his condition.
We then went to city council with our complaints. The outcome? Only one councillor showed some concern for the asthmatic. The noise factor fell on deaf ears. Nothing was done.
Ultimately, my husband and I were forced to relocate, which ended up costing us $30,000. Those who couldn’t afford to move had to remain in their vile situations – their peaceful home-life destroyed.
It would be nice if the Guildford residents could wave a wand and redirect the bus turnaround to the front of the homes of the TransLink executives and Surrey city council members, to see how they like it.
Or at least to shame them into paying for their relocation costs, preferably out of their own salaries.
Patrice Land, Surrey