A local Cochrane mom is doing what she can to make it difficult to access the Cochrane train tracks following a recent tragedy.

This past summer Cochrane tragically lost two young people while there was another near miss on the tracks in less than two months. Kari Murphy, mom to victim Lamont Murphy, knows that it may not prevent a tragedy, but by limiting access - may delay or distract an unfortunate event from ever happening.

Murphy said while we create safe passage ways for animals to cross road ways, she wonders why we cannot make crossing and accessing the tracks as safe as possible.

"Literally the least we can do is put up chain link fence along both sides of the tracks as well as another pedestrian crossing. Extra lighting is definitely needed, I can't imagine the financial cost of stopping a train due to an accident but I imagine that a chain link fence is much cheaper."

Murphy said that there are areas along the railway in Cochrane where the fencing is in need of repair or just doesn't exist at all and would like changes to be made.

"My ideal goal would be chain link fence throughout the Cochrane town limits with barbed wire on top and designated pedestrian crossings - at least one more. Not pedestrians crossing with the cars, but their own separate crossing on those street corners with lighting. To make it as hard as possible for pedestrians to access. If somebody wants to access the tracks of course they will find a way but we can make it hard."

Mac de Beaudrap, Senior Manager, Protective Services said there are many private land owners along the railway in Cochrane including the Town of Cochrane.

For the fencing that falls on town property, de Beaudrap said the Town's Park Department regularly assesses it for damage. Murphy is outraged that the chain link close to where her son lost his life is in the same state of disrepair as it was on the night he died, but de Beaudrap said the Town of Cochrane is aware and that plans for repair are under way.

A petition has been recently started to raise awareness, not only for Cochrane, but for many communities where the train runs directly through.

Access to the petition is available here.

Murphy said that she plans to continue advocating and educating the public about railway safety in honour of her son Lamont.

Marni Fedeyko - airdrienews@goldenwestradio.com