Aurich-Abelitz railway reactivation: hopes and fears in the district

Aurich-Abelitz railway reactivation: hopes and fears in the district

Something is happening in Aurich! The “Get on the Rail” initiative has caused a lot of attention in recent weeks by campaigning for the reactivation of the Aurich-Abelitz railway line. After decades of decoupling from local rail passenger transport, there are high hopes that the project will give the region a new lease of life. Loud NWZ Online A total of six routes in Lower Saxony are planned for possible reactivation, including the section from Aurich to Abelitz.

But before the trains can run again, the project is at a milestone. It's about awarding around 60 million euros - a sum that will only be made available if the population supports the project. The planned connection could cover a distance of around 13 kilometers, which takes around 20 minutes from Aurich via Abelitz to Emden. This would relieve the burden on many commuters and offer an exciting alternative to the car, especially with regard to the connection to long-distance transport in Emden.

Citizens' concerns

But where there is light, there is often also shadow. There is resistance to the project in Südbrookmerland. Critics fear that the planned closures of level crossings - 59 of the 77 will be eliminated - could “cut up” the community and Moordorf. Fears of less access and more isolation are high, and some citizens worry that the security of the crossings is not guaranteed.

Despite these concerns, the organizers are committed to transparency and dialogue. Citizens should be included in the process, and skeptics should also have their say. The Aurich district is loud Aurich district shortly before the presentation of a feasibility study that will shed light on the technical, economic and legal aspects of reactivation.

An important step for the future

A steering committee of the state parliament has already classified the project as economically sensible and eligible for funding. It is clear that the nationwide trend towards using rail could also reach Aurich. Since the DB reform in 1994, with the aim of putting more traffic on the rails, passenger and freight traffic has been growing continuously. Deutsche Bahn has also increased its investments in recent years to bring the infrastructure into shape, although there is still a lot to do. The German railway is also planning a modernization program to increase transport performance in rail passenger transport.

Reactivating the Aurich–Abelitz route could not only offer an environmentally friendly alternative to driving, but also noticeably improve the quality of life of people in the region. It remains to be seen whether it will be possible to address citizens' concerns and successfully get the project off the ground. One thing is certain, however: Aurich has set the course for an exciting future in rail transport.