Proposal for Novel Method to Combat Noise Pollution presented by the Commission
In a bid to improve rail connections in the southern Rhine-Main area, the Frankfurt-Mannheim railway line project is underway. However, the city of Neu-Isenburg has raised objections to the development, focusing on environmental and social factors.
The primary concerns revolve around noise protection, construction noise measures, and the expansion of Zeppelinheim station to ensure accessibility for all. Neu-Isenburg emphasizes the need for effective noise protection measures to safeguard residents from elevated noise levels caused by train operations, particularly as speed and train frequency are expected to significantly increase.
The city also insists on expanding the railway stations, including Zeppelinheim, in a manner that ensures accessibility for people with disabilities. This includes making stations barrier-free to provide ease of access for passengers with mobility challenges, given the anticipated increase in passenger traffic.
Moreover, Neu-Isenburg criticizes the division of the track section at Zeppelinheim station into two construction sections and considers the current noise protection concept inadequate due to its reliance on train numbers from the Germany timetable 2030. The city also demands a realistic assessment of noise pollution during the construction phase and the operation of the railway line.
Mayor Dirk Gene Hagelstein of Neu-Isenburg has emphasized the importance of a modern railway infrastructure not compromising the well-being of citizens. He demands effective noise protection and a barrier-free design of Zeppelinheim station to ensure a comfortable and accessible experience for all passengers.
The project, which is part of the Frankfurt RheinMain plus infrastructure development program, is currently under objection by the city of Neu-Isenburg. The city's concerns underscore the need for careful consideration of local communities' livability and inclusiveness concerns in infrastructure projects.
Deutsche Bahn, the federal government, the state of Hesse, the city of Frankfurt am Main, and the Rhine-Main Transport Association are driving the project. Despite the objections, they are expected to work closely with Neu-Isenburg to address the concerns and find suitable solutions to ensure the successful completion of the Frankfurt-Mannheim railway line project.
The city of Neu-Isenburg has expressed concerns about the anticipated increase in noise levels from trains and the need for comprehensive noise protection measures during the construction and operation of the Frankfurt-Mannheim railway line. Additionally, they demand a barrier-free design of Zeppelinheim station to ensure accessibility for all passengers, and a realistic assessment of noise pollution throughout the project's development.
