Berlin Delegation Hears Local Demands and Apprehensions
In a significant turn of events, Udo Schiefner, chairman of the Federal Transport Committee, is set to engage with local stakeholders in the district of Celle on July 11th. The meeting, scheduled at Schumacher's Kartcenter in Berlin, aims to discuss concerns and issues raised by Deutsche Bahn's plans for an ICE long-distance route between Hamburg and Hannover.
The focus of the dispute revolves around a possible new railway line that threatens to pass through the Horstfeld industrial area in Bispingen. Stephan Müller, spokesperson of the citizen initiative Unsynn, has been vocal about the issue, calling for citizen support in the sense of SPD leader Lars Klingbeil's commitment to the region.
Müller has expressed concerns that Bispingen may lose its economic independence due to the collapse of tax revenues and ongoing construction projects. He has also criticized DB Netz AG for providing incorrect information in all previous procedures.
In response to these concerns, Klingbeil has taken the offer seriously, following a visit by district representatives to the transport committee. Müller has also called for the council and municipality to organize a public information event for the citizens.
The railway has proposed route options through the villages as well. However, the proposed speeds of 300 km/h, as mentioned in the draft law, could potentially render the negotiated compromise of the Schiene Nord dialogue forum for an expansion of the existing track null and void, according to Müller.
The protest against this possible new railway line has reached Berlin, with Lara Abels from Hützel being a notable supporter on social media. Christian Deppner of the citizens' initiative X through Y in the municipality of Brackel considers Müller's resignation as a catastrophe.
Müller has stepped down as spokesperson due to not finding a suitable successor. He expects consultations on route variants, including a new preferred variant, to be dealt with by the Bundestag in the first half of 2024. The Bundestag will decide on this issue, probably in the second half of the year, after the specialist committee has discussed it.
Schiefner proposed a direct exchange on-site due to the clear stance against the route variant through the successful industrial area expressed during the visit. The politician planning a counter-visit on July 11 in Bispingen regarding the possible new Deutsche Bahn railway line through the Horstfeld industrial areas is not explicitly named in the available information. However, the mayor of Bispingen, Dr. Jens Bülthuis, is a likely key political figure in the matter, given his active involvement in local events and projects.
Seevetal municipality is mentioned as a role model for such public information events. Müller outlined the next steps, including the Plan Acceleration Act to be decided in the Bundestag in the fall, which could make infrastructure projects of outstanding interest easier and quicker to implement.
As the debate continues, all parties involved are urging for a solution that balances the need for modern infrastructure with the protection of local industries and communities.
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