Citizens’ initiatives north of the Brenner Pass: Working group “Bahnlärm Kirchseeon”

Created: 10/01/2022, 11:00 am

By: Helena Grillenberger

Susanne Höpler and her colleagues have one concern: that Kirchseeon gets proper noise protection.

© Stefan Rossmann

Three citizens' initiatives for the north of the Brenner Pass have formed in the district of Ebersberg.

They are led by three women who have one thing in common: they want to protect their homeland.

They are pursuing different goals – two of the initiatives even have opposing interests.

The articles on the citizens' initiative "Protect Aßling and the Atteltal" and on the "Bürgerinitiative Brennernordzulauf Ebersberg district" can be found here.

Kirchseeon – The “Bahnlärm Kirchseeon working group” has a requirement.

And it reads: "Noise protection according to new construction standards." Because Kirchseeon is intended to increase the frequency of the existing route for the northern access to the Brenner.

However, there is only a law that secures the right to full noise protection for new buildings or significant changes.

"We've been fighting for ages to have the measures recognized as a significant change," explains Susanne Höpler from the working group.

“Because train traffic will almost double.” Today, almost half of all people in Kirchseeon suffer from railway noise above what would be permitted with new construction standards, says the veterinarian.

"Alredy today!

With these numbers of trains!” Once the north access to the Brenner Pass is complete, 400 trains a day will pass through Kirchseeon.

"The railways dismiss this as a mere forecast, but that is what the countries have agreed on in the so-called Brenner Corridor Platform."

The working group has existed for four years

For four years now, the working group has been working to find out from the railway how many trains will ultimately pass through the town.

"They know that very well," says Höpler.

"And we want an operating simulation - how many trains are actually running, how many can actually run?" But for the past four years, the railways have been saying again and again that they have to do other calculations before they can provide Kirchseeoners with precise information.

“We keep getting pushed back.

And we don't get any noise protection," says the woman from Kirchseeon.

Höpler explains that the figures that the railways used to calculate Kirchseeon at the northern approach to the Brenner Pass had to be adjusted for four years.

The 400 trains that are expected for new tracks and that will also run on the tracks in Kirchseeon would not have found a place in the calculation.

700 signatures sent to transport minister

There were two state parliament resolutions that the Kirchseeon section also received noise protection according to the new building standard.

"But it's up to the federal government to decide," says Höpler.

"And we don't get any signals that our problem is being seen and perceived in any way." The working group has already sent 700 signatures to Andreas Scheuer (then Minister of Transport).

They didn't get an answer.

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"Before we look, we're ticked off and have absolutely no chance of bringing in anything else and changing it," fears Höpler.

"It's a race against time."

Höpler: Traffic should be on the rails, but "please with noise protection"

Your big concern: All decisions could already be made before those affected realize what is coming.

Therefore, the working group is also willing to share its experiences and information with the neighboring towns.

Because not only Kirchseeon will suffer from the increasing railway noise: Zorneding, Vater-stetten, Baldham and Haar are also affected.

Climate protection is important, Höpler knows, and “I think trains should continue to run.

But please with noise protection.

Not at the expense of the citizens and not at the expense of the localities.”

Höpler: "Decisions will be made now"

She therefore sees the main task of the working group as creating awareness of the situation.

"Action cannot be postponed!

The decisions are being made now.”

BI online: bahnlaerm-kirchseeon.de

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