Dispute over Kiel Stadtbahn: CDU accuses Mayor of Wordbruch!

Dispute over Kiel Stadtbahn: CDU accuses Mayor of Wordbruch!

Kiel, Deutschland - in Kiel, the topic of the planned light rail is currently controversial. In the last council debate there is a violent exchange of blows between the political camps. The CDU, represented by parliamentary group CEO Carsten Rockstein, accuses Mayor Ulf Kämpfer (SPD) Wordbruch and calls for the preparations for the Stadtbahn project immediately. KN-ONLINE.de reports that ...

The event for this claim lies in the financial Situation of the city. A budget lock was imposed three weeks ago because the deficit rose from 80 to at least 164 million euros. Rockstein sees the desired budget equalization as unrealistic by 2028 and argues that the light rail is on the brink, the more tense the financial situation.

Stadtbahn under pressure

Mayor fighters vehemently counters and makes the CDU double standards clear in the Stadtbahn question. This is how fighters sticks to the project because the light rail is not only a future means of transport, but is also considered a mandatory task for general interest. Despite the tense financial situation, fighters require concrete proposals to finance the light rail. According to his assessment, the financial situation is not so serious that the project would have to be abandoned.

A look at the balance of last year shows that Kiel ended with 102 million euros, despite forecast deficits of 60 million euros. This could indicate that optimism is required instead of panic mode. Fighter also assures that the Stadtbahn project is funded by supporting the state and the federal government, so that the risk of standstill is low.

criticism and concerns

The discussion also draws concerns from retailers and residents. Many fear that the announced construction work, especially in the course of the redesign of Holtenauer Strasse, could have negative effects on the local economy. [Kielerleben.de reports from…] (https://www.kielerleben.de/news/stadtbahn-kiel-vision-h are

The federal government also requires a stopping the planning and indicates the increasing costs. Councilor Rockstein proposes to comprehensive investments in the light rail to improve the bus network in order to make public transport more efficient. In the end, the CDU's application to stop the light rail was rejected by a majority from the Greens, SPD, SSW and the left/party at the council.

Future project Stadtbahn

Despite the challenges, the planning of the light rail takes shapes. The design and approval planning has already started and provides for a comprehensive redesign of the public space along the route, which should also take into account the integration of cyclists and pedestrians. The focus is on an overall ecological concept and high quality of stay. kiel.de reports that ...

Part of this project will be the light rail network, which is said to be 35.8 km long. In the first commissioning level, a connection between Christian-Albrechts-University (CAU) and Wellingdorf is created, whereby the bus lines are planned to re-plan the public transport system at the same time. The total costs for this first section are estimated at 441 million euros, whereby the financing can be partially covered by the municipal transport law.

The Kiel Stadtbahn remains not only a political, but also a social project that will still have many discussions. The tension between progress and responsibility is noticeable, and the next few months will show how the project will develop.