Schleswig-Holstein: Landtag debates about railway construction and reduction in bureaucracy!

Schleswig-Holstein: Landtag debates about railway construction and reduction in bureaucracy!

In Schleswig-Holstein a lot is happening: Today, the state parliament dealt with a topic in its meeting that moves many citizens-the rail infrastructure. CDU and Greens have submitted an application to accelerate planning and approval processes at the federal government. The reason for this advance is obvious: the continued criticism of the bureaucracy, which forms an essential reason for the poor condition of the rails. This reports [NDR] (https://www.ndr.de/nachrichten/schleswig-holstein/landtag-liveblog-schoenere-schienen-und-weniger-buerocracy, Landtag-130.html).

The session fell together with the establishment of food stalls for the Kiel Week, which brings a festive flair to the state house. The MPs were also able to look at the Kiellinie, where the preparations for the Maritime event are already in full swing. In the meantime, exciting maritime topics are discussed with top -class guests, including the Foreign Minister, at the "Kiel Security Conference".

new draft law for traffic projects

The state government plans to accelerate planning and approval procedures, especially in the traffic sector. A new draft law provides for adjustments in road and path law as well as in environmental impact assessments. Economic Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen (CDU) outlined the different options in September 2023 how infrastructure projects can be realized faster. 18 federal and state laws are to be changed to pave the way for modernization in energy supply, coastal protection, the rail infrastructure, so Landtag.

The digitized approval procedures that are sought are particularly interesting. Digital solutions could help reduce bureaucracy further and to give permits faster. A report on identified potential for acceleration was published in October 2023.

criticism and demands

Despite these comprehensive plans, there are also clear voices of criticism. The SSW has asked the state government to start a Federal Council Initiative for Legal Planning based on the Danish model. This should ensure that procedures are faster and subsequent lawsuit is excluded. An example is the planning of the Fehmarnbelt crossing, which could be realized in Denmark without a legal dispute, while the German planning approval decision was delayed by tens of thousands of objections.

In addition, the FDP calls for a rapid implementation of the "Pact for Planning, Approval and Implementation Acceleration", which was received in November 2023. If the pact is actually implemented, construction projects such as wind turbines, electricity lines or even mobile phone masts could be realized much faster in the future. The goal is clear: bureaucratic hurdles are to be dismantled, with a total of around 100 individual regulations in this package. A comprehensive plan that also takes a look at the digitization of the procedures is required to bring Schleswig-Holstein on the right track, as the [IHK] (https://www.ihk.de/schleswig-holstein/ihk-magazin/verkehr-infrastructure/planung acceleration- procedure- procedure-6145852) reports.

The debate about the progress and challenges of the planning and approval procedures will remain exciting in the coming days. MPs face the challenge of finding a balance between the needs of citizens and the requirements for a modern infrastructure. An exciting time for Schleswig-Holstein!