With the Jack Gregson Trail closing, Kamloops city staff don’t think the transients who live there will migrate to Valleyview neighborhoods.

Acting social development supervisor Ty Helgason was asked if people who live near the trail should be concerned of that possibility.

“I don’t imagine so. I would hope those people would take advantage of the shelter space we have open right now,” Helgason says.

“Usually when it comes to moving camps along, the bylaw services team with the City of Kamloops would communicate with outreach teams, and take an outreach worker with them and try to connect that person to services. Rather than just pushing them from camp spot to camp spot.”

Homeless residents have long occupied part of the riverfront at the end of Vicars Road, at the far east end of the Gregson Trail.

The trail is owned by CP Rail, which is closing it permanently as of today to make room for an expansion to its mainline through Kamloops.

(Photo: kamloopstrails.net)