Tree massacre through planned BMW tunnel?
Study makes you sit up and take notice - "I think that's crazy"
Created: 05/18/2022, 09:18
By: Klaus Vick, Julian Limmer
The motorway and the BMW research center were to be connected through the tunnel under the Hasenbergl.
© fkn
The construction of a BMW tunnel north of Munich remains controversial.
Opponents of the project now have another argument against the project: a startling Greenpeace study.
Munich - Thick, old trees in which birds breed could disappear forever, says Volker Oppermann from Greenpeace Munich.
A total of up to 710 trees are at risk of being cleared due to the possible construction of a tunnel through the Hasenbergl.
A new study by Greenpeace comes up with these figures.
To this end, the conservationists have carefully examined a potential route.
The variant of an underground solution currently under discussion served as the basis.
The area would first be excavated and later closed with a cover over the roadway.
"It's not just about a few meadows, but also a small forest would be affected by the construction," says Oppermann.
Even if the surface were to be planted again after construction, he believes the consequences will be long-lasting: "It would take many decades for the original ecosystem to be restored."
Munich: City council divided on tunnel construction - "Pure speculation"
The SPD/Volt parliamentary group in the city council still wants to stick to the planning approval for the Munich-North tunnel.
"The number of trees that are said to be felled is pure speculation," says parliamentary group leader Christian Müller (SPD).
It is not yet clear how the tunnel will ultimately be built.
You have to take into account the interests of local residents as well as those of environmental protection and local companies, says Müller.
However, tunnel construction must be carried out in such a way that people, the district and nature are affected as little as possible.
The Greens in the city council see the project more critically: "If so many trees actually had to fall, this would be another important argument against this tunnel planning," says the Greens parliamentary group leader Florian Roth.
Because: For the time until the trees grow back, the construction is "damage for the people and for many animals".
The Greens prefer to concentrate on expanding local public transport in the north of Munich.
But he makes it clear: the tunnel issue – which was also discussed in the coalition council on Monday – is no reason to question the overall cooperation.
The project will probably be discussed by the city council in June.
Magnificent trees in danger: A tunnel through the Hasenbergl is said to cost the lives of hundreds of trees.
Local residents have also protested against the project in the past.
One of them is the student Philipp B. (21).
He grew up in the area and often played in the park: "If so many of these trees disappear now, I think that's blatant!" Further protests are to be expected.
BMW and the planned tunnel construction in Munich - that's behind it
The tunnel is primarily intended to connect BMW's "FIZ Future" research and innovation center to the A99 motorway.
Around 15,000 new jobs are to be created there by 2050.
The ruling town hall coalition is exceptionally going their separate ways on the subject.
For example, the Greens reject a tunnel solution for nature conservation reasons.
The government partner SPD must therefore look for other majorities so that the city can initiate in-depth planning for the tunnel.
It can be assumed that the SPD will initiate planning with the CSU, FDP and Free Voters.
Our Munich newsletter informs you regularly about all the important stories from the Isar metropolis.
Sign up here.