Citizens' dialogue in Kierspe: Focus on traffic problems and solutions!

Citizens' dialogue in Kierspe: Focus on traffic problems and solutions!

There is great uncertainty in Kierspe about the ongoing and upcoming transport projects, especially with regard to the full closure of the Volme Bridge, which has been in force since May 12, 2025. The closure affects the section between Bahnhofstrasse/Wehestrasse and the B54 (Volmestrasse) and is expected to last until October 2025. The reason for this is the demolition of the existing structure, which will be replaced by a temporary structure. During the construction period, access for residents and the train station will remain in place, but traffic will be routed via designated diversion routes, which will be signposted in good time, informs Straßen NRW.

At the UWG citizens' dialogue on June 23rd, which took place in the “Ecki Jürgen Eckes” specialist retailer, citizens' concerns regarding the traffic situation were extensively discussed. Around 40 participants, including drivers, cyclists and pedestrians, raised their concerns. Mayor Olaf Stelse reported on open questions about the complete closure of Kölner Straße, the Volmetal cycle path and the improvement of local and long-distance transport. Many citizens are particularly concerned about the Volmetal cycle path, which still only exists in parts, even though it was launched as a flagship project in 2012. The people responsible for roads in North Rhine-Westphalia are often difficult to reach - a deficiency that only fueled the discussion.

Focus on traffic and infrastructure

A central concern was the lack of communication about the bypass, which has been an issue on the table since 2022. The lack of response to an application for a sidewalk along Volmestrasse caused dissatisfaction among those present. Rüdiger Däumer, who moderated the dialogue, was skeptical about a possible roundabout, as there are currently no accident hotspots or traffic jams that would justify one. But citizens are not only dissatisfied with the current situation. They called for a higher frequency of buses between Kierspe, Halver, Rönsahl and the Oberbergischer Kreis, and concretized plans for an express bus line from Volmetal to Siegen as well as a taxi bus to replace the canceled bus line, explained UWG politician Steffen Wieland.

The importance of mobility issues is demonstrated not least by the infrastructure dialogue, which implements the mandate from the coalition agreement. This project aims to reach an agreement on priorities in the implementation of the Federal Transport Infrastructure Plan (BVWP) and the new mobility plan by 2040, as can be found on the website of the [Federal Ministry of Transport](https://www.bmv.de/DE/Themen/Mobilitaet/Infrastructuration Planning-Investitions/Infrastructuredialog/architekturdialog.html). Over 70 associations were involved in this dialogue, with the results to be presented at a final event on January 27, 2025. The citizens of Kierspe hope that the findings from such overarching discussions will soon have a positive impact on their everyday lives.

The response to the citizen dialogue was positive. The committee unanimously decided to develop an urban planning concept for the Kierspe train station and the surrounding area in order to apply for funding. But until something changes with the existing traffic problems, a lot of water will still have to flow down the Volme. “What’s happening on the Volme?” remains the question that is intensively occupying the citizens of Kierspe and will significantly influence political priorities in the coming months.