Brenner north feeder: Aßling in the dispute over noise and railway lines!

Brenner north feeder: Aßling in the dispute over noise and railway lines!

In the tranquil Ebersberg region, more precisely in the village of Aßling, there is a lot of activity. The planned expansion of the Brenner northern inflow is causing heated arguments among residents. While a citizens' initiative with over 1,600 supporters is calling for a new rail route to the Brenner Base Tunnel, there is another faction that is vehemently against the project. Loud Mercury Emotions are heated because the planned “Limone” route, which is supposed to run partly in a tunnel, cannot convince everyone.

The initiative that favors the route has clear demands. She would like a bypass to the west of the town to relieve the noise for residents. In contrast, the citizens' initiative “Brennernordzulauf Landkreis Ebersberg” rejects the route and has already secured political support from locally important figures such as district administrator Robert Niedergesäß and state parliament member Thomas Huber. This dispute raises the question of what the ideal path for efficient local transport should be without unduly affecting the quality of life of residents.

Citizen initiative conflicts and political support

The supporters of the “Brennernordzulauf Landkreis Ebersberg” initiative have based themselves, among other things, on the results of a study commissioned by the railway from the University of Innsbruck. This study rejected the alternative route through Aßlingen train station as more expensive and detrimental to health. Politically, the situation is strengthened by a resolution in the Ebersberg district council and the state parliament that supports the alternative route. The forecasts are also worrying: from 2040 up to 420 trains are expected every day, which could significantly increase noise pollution for residents.

Thomas Huber is particularly active, campaigning for comprehensive noise protection measures and an urgent renovation of the train station in Aßling. It is necessary to take residents' concerns seriously and find solutions that take into account both the need for modern transport and the protection of quality of life. Many citizens fear that the planned route could endanger not only traffic, but also the rural character of the area.

Alternative suggestions and environmental aspects

The initiative, which is not against the northern access to the Brenner Pass but is calling for alternative planning, has started an online petition that has already made waves in the first few days. It aims to achieve an environmentally friendly implementation with less land consumption. Requirements include, among other things, minimizing the effects of noise and vibration during the construction phase and improving the preservation of agricultural land. In addition, island locations of districts should be avoided in order not to further damage the living space of the residents, reports the citizens' initiative on its website.

The discussion about the best possible route is also being conducted seriously in political circles. District Administrator Otto Lederer emphasized the importance of the Bundestag carrying out a visual inspection on site in order to better understand the actual events. He also warns of negative effects on agriculture and tourism from the existing plans, which could include a large bridge crossing the Inn.

The decision on how to proceed and the possible construction of the Brenner north inlet is imminent. The issue will be on the agenda in the Bundestag in winter, and various parties have now called for plans to be reviewed and, if necessary, adjusted to take both economic and ecological aspects into account. An exciting time lies ahead for the residents in Aßling, as they have to make one of the most drastic decisions of the 21st century for their region BR.