Disillusionment after construction of the road divider in Münster: What remains?

Disillusionment after construction of the road divider in Münster: What remains?

In the small municipality of Münster in the Laubach district, the residents face questions about the new security facility, which was created in the form of a road divider. This divider, installed on the L3481 country road, should help not only reduce the speeds of the vehicles, but also to reduce traffic noise. But after implementation, expectations have been put to the test.

The local population had given great hopes in the project. According to information, a wider traffic island was planned with a width of five meters to slow down the traffic and increase the safety of pedestrians. When a tour of the completed building by the local advisory board, however, it quickly became clear that the reality did not meet expectations. According to the mayor Klaus Dieter Schmitt, the lane divider could possibly only contribute slightly to reduce speed on the thoroughfare.

implementation by Hessen Mobil

The reasons for this reduced version of the road divider are diverse. Building director Martin Bouda explained that Hessen Mobil left little scope during planning and wanted to avoid delicate interventions into the straight route as possible. Due to geography and space, the decision was made to carry out the project in this form. An alternative solution, such as a one -sided admission, turned out to be inadequate and was rejected.

Mayor Matthias Meyer made it clear that the choice was between this smaller divider or no measure at all. The city itself would have wanted to invest more, but the time pressure, due to the upcoming work on the state road, left no room for larger planning. Unexpectedly, this decision could also have a positive effect on household costs: Instead of the originally estimated 180,000 euros, the measure now only costs 52,000 euros.

Despite the clear savings, there are questions about the effectiveness of the measure. Many residents are skeptical whether the new lane divider can act on traffic in the desired way. Above all, the inadequate width is a central point of criticism. The possibility is already being considered to achieve a certain effect through plantings on the traffic island in order to improve the appearance and possibly also traffic management.

focus on traffic safety

Despite the disappointment, the city administration emphasizes that the measure is part of a larger plan to increase the quality of life of the residents. From January, Laubach will have an independent regulatory office, which includes mobile speed camera. These measures aim to enable the traffic situation beyond increasing controls. "The situation has to be improved," said Mayor Meyer and emphasized the administration's commitment to sustainable improvement in traffic conditions.

However, the residents can currently only hope that the planned measures and the newly built road divider will actually lead to a noticeable reduction in speed and thus to more security. The local advisory board praised the quick implementation of the work, but remains reserved with regard to the effectiveness of the measure.

a complex interaction

The situation in Münster is an example of how traffic planning is often in a area of tension between the needs of the residents, the guidelines of the authorities and the real conditions of the square. Hessen Mobil's decision not to make a significant intervention in the straight route reflects the challenges with which municipalities are faced.

The commitment to a calm and safe traffic routing in Laubach remains. The hope of a long -term success of the measure remains, even if the first step has not quite delivered the expected result. The ongoing discussion about the traffic situation is a clear indication that long -term solutions must always be developed together and in close cooperation in order to achieve the best possible results.

The area of traffic safety in Germany

traffic safety is a central topic in Germany, especially in urban areas. According to the Federal Statistical Office, over 2.3 million traffic accidents were registered in 2023, of which around 2,560 ended fatally. The implementation of traffic calming measures, such as the road divider or traffic islands, aims to increase the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in particular. These measures should also help reduce the speed of traffic and thus reduce the risk of accidents.

Most cities face the challenge of slowing down the traffic without affecting the functionality of the streets. City administrations are often in dealing with the demands of mobility on the one hand and the security of residents on the other. This illustrates why the decision for a smaller road divider was made in Laubach.

planned future measures in Laubach

The city of Laubach plans to introduce further measures to improve the traffic situation in addition to the current road divider. From January 2025, a local regulatory office will be set up, which will not only be responsible for compliance with speed limits, but also for general traffic monitoring. Mayor Matthias Meyer has already announced that a mobile speed camera will be used in Münster to control compliance with the speed regulations and to increase the safety of the residents.

In addition, the city plans to highlight passages with additional traffic signs and information in order to remind drivers of the applicable speed limits. These measures are part of a more comprehensive approach to improve the quality of life in the community.

public reactions and opinions

The reactions of the residents to the new measures are mixed. While some citizens consider the new road divider to increase security, others express their skepticism. Many doubt that the current variant of the road divider will actually lead to a speed reduction. "It would have been better to create more space for a really effective divider," said a resident who would like to remain anonymous.

A survey that was carried out among the residents of Münster from August 2023 to September 2023 showed that 65 % of the respondents believe that larger measures would be necessary to ensure traffic safety. Many supported specific reforms, such as the introduction of Tempo 30 zones in particularly endangered areas.