Büdingen: Flood protection on the Seemenbachmauer has finally been decided!

Büdingen: Flood protection on the Seemenbachmauer has finally been decided!

Something is happening in the area of ​​flood protection in Büdingen. The provisional flood protection on the Seemenbachmauer is about to be implemented. The necessary permits have already been obtained and the materials, including big bags for the construction site, have been ordered. This initiative is seen as a success by the city council, especially by the Free Voters' Association (FWG), which praises the persistence of politics. The SPD, FDP and ProVernunft also recognized the need for provisional protection early on and submitted a joint application. This shows that joint action in politics often bears fruit, as the FNP emphasizes.

However, the situation was tense for a long time. Mayor Benjamin Harris had initially hoped for a comprehensive renovation, which turned out to be unrealistic and led to months of standstill. Only political pressure led to an acceleration in the approval process. In January 2023, the FWG and the SPD requested a legal review of possible delays. It is clear that finances play a central role, as funding for flood protection has already been cut in the current state budget. The FWG emphasizes that the funding promised by the state of Hesse must remain available in order to find a sustainable solution.

Renovation projects and future measures

Parallel to the developments on the Seemenbachmauer, the renovation of the Düdelsheim retention basin is also in full swing. This structure, which was built around 50 years ago, has proven to be an important security asset for Düdelsheim and the surrounding communities. Mayor Harris highlights the importance of investing in flood protection. This measure is intended to efficiently prevent flooding, especially on Schulstrasse. The Nidder-Seemenbach water association is planning to make major investments after 50 years. The renovation of the culvert structure is estimated to cost around 1.6 million euros, with 75% of the costs being subsidized by the state of Hesse. The CDU visited the progress of the renovation work on site.

But the investments do not end there. At least two new retention basins are planned for the future. The Seemenbach wall should also be renewed, especially in parts of the city that received little attention in the past. Mayor Harris emphasizes that these measures will not only benefit the city of Büdingen, but also surrounding communities that benefit from these protective measures.

The city council also decided to disclose all relevant documents on flood protection in order to make transparent decisions. A special meeting of the main and finance committee as well as the committee for construction, environment and flood protection will take place until the end of September to discuss further steps. Even though the CDU and the Greens abstained from voting on this proposal, this still shows the unbroken will to set the right course when it comes to flood protection.