The A20 Expansion Saga: A Tussle Between Progress and Conservation in Schleswig-Holstein
Progression of A20 Construction Post-Lawsuit: Anticipated Developments - Status of the A20 project, in spite of raised concerns?
Get ready for a rollercoaster ride as the East-West Corridor expands, despite a pending lawsuit by BUND. Meanwhile, another environmental powerhouse, NABU, is hesitant to join the legal battle. Let's dive into the drama unfolding along the A20 motorway in Schleswig-Holstein.
Claus Ruhe Madsen, Schleswig-Holstein’s transport minister, is applying the pressure to kickstart the work on the A20 expansion. According to Madsen, the conservationists' objections might not be as ideologically rooted as they seem. The environmental association BUND, however, plans to sue at the Federal Administrative Court, claiming inadequate consideration for species and habitat preservation, insufficient examination of alternatives, and new planning errors.
While NABU has reservations, they're not ready to take legal action. Alexander Schwarzlose, the state chairman, admits that the anticipated environmental and climate damage of the A20 remains undisputed. However, he believes that the protective and compensatory measures don't fundamentally alter this grim reality. The planned bat crossing aids are inappropriate in some places and missing in critical spots, and the proposed plan endangers several calcareous spring sources – vulnerable and rare biotopes.
Despite these concerns, the current resolution is less environmentally damaging than the previous plan for the Segeberg section. NABU can no longer detect clear and obvious legal violations. They're optimistic that Madsen will stick to his word and negotiate necessary improvements without a lawsuit.
Negotiations for an out-of-court solution are slated for November. Preparatory work for the southern bypass of Bad Segeberg could commence this year, as BUND is forgoing the interim injunction. By the end of May, it will be clear whether any other lawsuits delaying the immediate enforcement of the plan approval decision for the ten-kilometer-long Segeberg section are pending.
The A20's extension has been on hold east of Bad Segeberg for over a decade. In 2013, the Federal Administrative Court nixed the expansion, as the protection of bats hadn't been appropriately addressed. The Segeberg chalk caves are the biggest bat hibernation site in Germany. The Planning Department issued building law for the ten-kilometer bypass around Bad Segeberg in mid-March.
The verdict necessitated the creation of tunnels or guide structures like protective barriers to shield bats from collisions with trucks. Approximately 10% of the expected construction costs of 465 million euros for this section are dedicated to nature conservation concerns, as per Deges.
With the lawsuit looming and negotiations underway, it's a tense time for both the conservationists and proponents of growth. Keep an eye on this developing story in Schleswig-Holstein for updates on the A20 expansion and its environmental implications.
- Keywords: A20 expansion, BUND, NABU, Bad Segeberg, BVerwG, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany's Nature Conservation Union, Environment, Environmental association, CDU
A word of warning: Sanitation work on the A20 has led to a full closure, causing traffic congestion, particularly towards Lübeck, but this is unrelated to the A20 expansion plans.
- The pending lawsuit by BUND against the A20 expansion, scheduled at the Federal Administrative Court, centers around claims of inadequate consideration for species and habitat preservation, insufficient examination of alternatives, and planning errors.
- In Schleswig-Holstein, the environmental association NABU has reservations about the A20 expansion, citing concerns over the anticipated environmental and climate damage, inappropriate bat crossing aids, and endangered calcareous spring sources.
- Alexander Schwarzlose, the state chairman of NABU, has expressed optimism that Claus Ruhe Madsen, Schleswig-Holstein’s transport minister, will negotiate necessary improvements without a lawsuit, with negotiations for an out-of-court solution set for November.
