Canadian Pacific says it cannot agree to build pedestrian crossings across train tracks that run through Montreal, despite demands from the city.

CP tracks run through six different boroughs in Montreal, including Outremont, Rosemont-La Petite-Patrie and Plateau-Mont-Royal. In those districts, it's common to see holes cut through the chain-link fences meant to keep people off the tracks.

Both the City and a grassroots citizens group, Collectif pour le passage à niveau, have been pushing CP to install crossings to make it easier and safer for pedestrians to cross the tracks.

The level crossings would have a magnetic door allowing access to the tracks. The door would automatically swing open and shut, preventing pedestrians from being on the track when there is a train coming.

Mistaya Hemingway, a member of the grassroots group, says in order to get to the nearby grocery store, she either has to take a 15 minute detour around the tracks or walk down an underpass that she says is smelly and poorly kept.

She said people have been cutting holes in the fences and crossing the tracks since the 1990s.

People often cut across the railway as a shortcut instead of walking a few blocks to cross at an underpass.

Since the City of Montreal and CP have reached a stalemate, the City is now going over CP's head to find a solution.

Montreal is asking the Canadian Transportation Agency to order CP to build pedestrian crossings at the tracks.

In a statement, CP said pedestrian crossings would create operational concerns for trains and cause public safety issues.

The mayor of the Rosemont-Petite-Patrie borough says CP has refused the request in the past without good reason.

Francois Croteau said the City is taking action to send a strong message that CP can't walk all over Montrealers.