Demo in Kochel: Not against day trippers, only against traffic jams

The people of Koch want a "traffic-relieving solution" for their place. They want to take to the streets on August 22nd.

• The excursion traffic in Kochel and on the Walchensee is taking on dramatic proportions.
• Locals are demanding a solution to the problem from politicians.
• For a better organized tourism, the Kochler will soon take to the streets.

Kochel am See - In Wallgau and Grainau, the demonstrations under the motto “Is slowed down” have already caused a lot of media attention this summer. Kochel am See will soon join the municipalities whose residents take to the streets against the immense stresses caused by excursion traffic. Here Sebastian Salvamoser, local chairman of the SPD, took the organization of the demo in hand. In advance he formulated a number of specific local demands.

"We expressly do not demonstrate against excursionists and holidaymakers in general," the organizer stated in a message. Also the free access to the nature and the lakes of the region as well as the earning potential of the restaurants, shops and tourism companies do not want to be questioned. "We only demand a qualitative, more sustainable and better organized tourism, which benefits everyone, and that the first steps in this direction are taken as soon as possible."

Salvamoser has clear ideas about what steps that could be. According to him, one of the demands of the demonstration is traffic control from the A95 motorway. There should be electronic information about parking space occupancy and traffic jams, possibly with blockages and block clearance in the event of overload.

Possible measure: reduction of noise and speed

In Kochel itself, the SPD chairman and his colleagues want a "traffic-relieving solution" for the congested intersection in the center of the village, the so-called Blessing curve. This could be a roundabout or a set of traffic lights. On the entire course of the B 11 through Kochel, the demonstrators are calling for measures to reduce the noise and speed of traffic, for example traffic islands and Tempo 30. In dangerous places, such as the Franz Marc Museum, there should be safe pedestrian crossings.

Improvements for cyclists are also on the list of demands of the demo. The organizer suggests marked protective strips for cyclists throughout the local area. He is also thinking of expanding the Alte Kesselbergstrasse as a cycle path towards Walchensee. Overall, there is a need for “a local cycle path concept with a one-way system and designated routes”.

Expansion of traffic areas and more leisure activities aggravated the situation

In addition, it is necessary to expand the bus and train services. For Salvamoser, this includes right-of-way rules for the bus on the B 11, a shuttle bus on the southern shore of Lake Walchensee and a local bus between Kochel and the districts - and all of this "in a uniform, affordable rate in the MVV".

Salvamoser criticizes the previous political responses to the constant traffic congestion in the area. “The simple expansion of traffic areas, parking and leisure facilities have made the situation even worse,” he says. “The limit of what is bearable has been exceeded.” And that applies to residents as well as to those seeking relaxation.

Info about the demo

The demonstration on Saturday, August 22nd, starts at 10 a.m. The participants “follow in the footsteps of traffic through the whole town”, so the announcement. This means that the protest march will move - subject to any requirements imposed by the authorities - from the train station or the Trimini parking lot on the B 11 and state road 2062 over the Blessing curve towards the home stage.

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