"It doesn't matter anyway": Planned container terminal of Deutsche Bahn causes resentment in Regensburg 

Created: 08/03/2022, 19:22

By: Michael Bothner

The Mayor of Regensburg held discussions with critics of the planned container terminal on the Schäferwiese.

© Michael Bothner

A DB container terminal is to be built in the east of Regensburg.

There is resistance to this.

It also got loud during a discussion.

Regensburg – They have taken a seat on beer benches and garden chairs – the approximately 100 opponents and critics of the planned container terminal in the east of Regensburg.

City Councilor Bernadette Dechant (CSU) has invited to the Kingdom of Samuelia on the Schäferwiese for a discussion.

Dispute over container terminal: hardened fronts instead of dialogue

According to the city councilor and spokeswoman for the Hohes Kreuz citizens' movement, there should be an open dialogue with the mayor and a representative of the railways.

But the mood is tense from the start, the fronts are clear and they stay until the end.

The Bauwagenplatz at the so-called Gleisdreieck is only a few minutes' walk away from the actual subject of the dispute.

The DB Cargo subsidiary is planning a new container terminal at Ostbahnhof, south-east of the Odessa Ring and opposite Pürkelgut.

Container terminal in the east of the city: Critics speak of "fairy tale hour"

There have been plans for this for a long time.

In 2016, the first decision to draw up a development plan was made by the city council.

Expert opinions on the feasibility and possible problems were drawn up.

Residents collected signatures against the project.

They are afraid of the train noise and the container towers that are supposed to be near them in the future.

On Monday evening there are always heckling.

There is talk of "wrong" and "contradictory arguments".

From a "fairy tale hour" held here by Mayor Gertrud Maltz-Schwarzfischer.

Everything is "it doesn't give a shit anyway".

Container terminal in Regensburg: The location is “no alternative” for the railways

There have been events and on-site appointments before.

Michael Heinemann, Managing Director of DB Intermodal Services GmbH, which is jointly responsible, has repeatedly emphasized how important the project is.

And the planned location - even after checking other areas - is practically without alternative.

As one of ten logistics centers, especially for empty containers for freight transport throughout Germany, Regensburg has played an important role for the railways in the eastern Bavarian region since 1998.

However, the increase in freight traffic in recent years has brought the previous terminal on Bosch-Strasse to its limits, which is why there are currently three locations in the east of the city.

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New container terminal - "a real location advantage"

Trucks have to drive back and forth between them every day, Heinemann explained on Monday.

This is complex and the “insane amount of commuter traffic with the containers” is anything but climate-friendly.

On the site east of the Odessa Ring, the company therefore intends to bring all of its containers together in one place in the future.

At the Ostbahnhof there is "a very suitable property with an existing railway connection and the possibilities," according to Mayor Maltz-Schwarzfischer.

At hardly any other location, adds Heinemann, "we can handle so much by rail".

A real locational advantage is what companies in the region would also benefit from.

New container terminal: OB speaks of "mammoth topic"

Today's logistics are a "mammoth topic", seconded the mayor.

"Everywhere there should be less traffic on the roads" and goods should be moved to the rails, she says.

The infrastructure is also needed for this in Regensburg.

The politician is convinced that it is also about securing jobs and the Regensburg location.

During the mayor's speech, some eagerly discuss with their neighbors.

Others keep turning away, shaking their heads.

And the moderator doesn't exactly contribute to the hoped-for "open and honest dialogue".

Again and again he interrupts the mayor, saying that one cannot go too far now, after all one wants to let as many citizens as possible have their say.

Bund Naturschutz: Container terminal destroys biotope

Raimund Schoberer from the Bund Naturschutz criticizes that once again an officially mapped biotope has been revealed.

Others also worry whether the water on the then built-up area will still be able to drain properly during heavy rain, or whether their basements will soon run ahead.

The mayor sees the concerns raised as justified.

We will take this back with us for further planning.

However, the city cannot simply ban the railway from building.

The area is now designated as an industrial area.

And all expert opinions so far have shown that the project is feasible.

Expertise: No noise barriers needed for the terminal

Even when it comes to noise protection, which has been repeatedly called for, there are hardly any problems in the city.

However, the railway is not likely to operate the site around the clock in three shifts, as was once thought.

Work should be suspended between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.

According to Heinemann, this does little damage to the profitability of the project.

For those present, however, that is no real consolation.

However, according to the mayor, there will be no noise protection walls, as demanded by many residents.

Based on previous assessments, they were not necessary.

The city can't just dictate that.

Dispute over container terminal: only four or five trains a day?

According to Heinemann, there are also a maximum of four or five trains a day that would enter the terminal at walking speed.

"Calculated on the day, we are talking about three to four hours of shunting time." That's not much, according to the message.

And all of the around 80,000 freight cars that the company uses in Germany have now been upgraded to more modern, much quieter braking systems.

This also causes a short murmur.

One thing remains unanswered Monday night.

In view of the ever hotter temperatures, many fear that the containers could soon emit additional waste heat and thus heat up the environment.

It remains unclear to what extent this circumstance was taken into account in the previous proceedings.

For those present, this is proof that they simply cannot know what is to come.

A woman therefore suggests building the terminal in a forest, as is the case with the chemical company Wacker in Burghausen, Upper Bavaria.

Opponents agree that the project must get out of the city as much as possible.

CSU city councilor wants to sue for noise barriers if necessary

Maltz-Schwarzfischer tries once again to use the location advantage.

There was no alternative to the area, other areas were checked and found to be unsuitable.

As a result, there is no real togetherness this Monday when it comes to the terminal.

Although for Bernadette Dechant and her citizens' association, a complete relocation of the terminal is no longer the focus.

"If the railways need it so urgently and it is so elementary for the development of the city, then the four million (for noise protection measures; editor's note) are peanuts," said the CSU member afterwards.

If necessary, go to court.

Around 9:40 p.m., the hostess then suggests walking together to the affected area to capture the “evening atmosphere” there.

So that you know what was actually discussed here.

It remains questionable whether this will bring about a turnaround.