A group of 21 Huron County agricultural landowners adjacent to the Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail say their concerns are not being heard.
The group told North Huron council Monday that they are opposed to the trail, citing liability concerns. According to group representatives, insurance companies have told their members that public access would increase their liability insurance.
During their presentation, Marie Mitchell told council that all-terrain vehicles have travelled around their section of the trail and onto their crops. G2G says ATVs are not allowed on the trail.
"One of the adjacent land owners has already checked with his insurance agency and they are quoting an increased cost of $500 a year because there is another public access point on his farm," Mitchell told CKNX News.
"I used to pasture the railway tracks, that's why I had a lease," Neil Mitchell, another member of the concerned agricultural landowners, told CKNX after the meeting, "They [u sers of the trail] all like to look at animals but if they unlatch a gate and they [cattle] get out, then I'm on the hook for it."
In their letter, the group says G2G mislead the public by saying the trail will be open by July 1st, while sections of the trail are leased to municipalities and individuals. The press release that was presented to council can be viewed here.
