Petershausen does not invest in a cycle path on the tracks: the railway is compulsory there. Since this is an escape route, the community is exerting pressure.
- The municipality of Petershausen does not want to invest in a bike path along the tracks.
- Because there is a duty on the railway.
- Since this is an escape route, the community is now putting pressure on it.
Petershausen - The residents of rural communities also want a better quality of life thanks to less traffic. A closer-meshed cycle path network is therefore to be created in Petershausen. This is how it defined the Integrative Urban Development Concept (ISEK) developed three years ago. The goal is a bike ring on which citizens from all residential areas can conveniently and safely access shops and public facilities.
In the area of the so-called bird settlement in the southwest, there is already a path along the railway line to the town center. Therefore, at the request of free voters, it should be checked whether this path could be prepared as a cycle path. In the meantime, the idea has lost importance. Because along the Mitterfeldstrasse running through the residential area, a pedestrian and bike path is created, that's a decided thing. The new Edeka supermarket is currently being built at the junction with Jetzendorfer Straße and a six-group kindergarten is being built right next to it.
Feasibility study caused heated debate in the local council
Nevertheless, the now completed feasibility study for the railway cycle path caused heated discussions in the town council. Reason for resentment: "The railroad is ready to negotiate, but would like to hand over the maintenance to the community and take additional security measures," said Mayor Marcel Fath (FW). Specifically, the community should take care of the route in the future, additionally secure the gaps in the noise barrier at their own expense with escape doors. Depending on the variant, this expansion would cost between 74,000 and 163,000 euros.
Hilde Weßner (CSU) called the railroad's demands "really bottomless cheek". Because the path that is currently winding through dense vegetation is actually an official escape route. The railway would have to keep it open for a width of 3.50 to 4 meters for years. In an emergency, explained FDP municipal councilor and second fire brigade commander Jürgen Junghans (FDP), up to 25 emergency vehicles should be able to approach there. However, the railroad neglected this maintenance obligation, there is only one footpath left from the rescue route.
"The railway will cut the way"
But now there were obviously discussions between the railroad and the Petershausen fire department, as Margarete Schwerbaum (FW) learned. "The railway will cut the way." A positive side effect: In future, the citizens could cycle safely on the restored road away from the road, and that without any effort from the community. However, this use would be your own responsibility. For legal reasons, the route should not be designated as a municipal cycle path. Citizens would then have the choice between the planned cycle path on Mitterfeldstrasse and the quiet path on the noise barrier.
But first, as promised, the train has to operate in autumn. At the suggestion of Gerhard Weber (CSU), the responsible Federal Railway Authority should be asked to exert pressure on the railway in order to give the issue more emphasis. Ultimately, according to Mayor Fath, the safety of rail traffic is endangered by the dilapidated escape route. The municipal councils agreed on this procedure.
Petra Schafflik
