Zirchow in turmoil: Northern route for bypass despite resistance!

Zirchow in turmoil: Northern route for bypass despite resistance!

The debate about the Zirchow bypass is reaching another climax. Residents have been calling for relief from through traffic for years, but implementation of the plans has been a long time coming. A central point in this discussion is the northern route favored by the state government, which would even lead through a fen worthy of protection. This approach is met with strong resistance because both environmental concerns and the opinions of community representatives play an essential role in the decision-making process.

The history of these plans goes back to 2018, when a large demonstration took place in front of the Schwerin state parliament. Since then, the people of Zirchow have been campaigning vehemently for a bypass to improve the traffic situation. As NDR reports, the state is planning to implement the northern variant, which will cost around 10 million euros, despite the concerns. Considerations about the environmental compatibility of the route have already taken place, with the protected Thurbruch being the focus of the analyses.

The problem is not only felt locally. Members of the CDU parliamentary group's economics and finance working group recently visited the community to exchange ideas directly with the citizens' initiative “Zirchow Bypass Working Group”. Wolfgang Waldmüller, the economic policy spokesman, pointed out that two northern and three southern route variants were being discussed. However, the state government's decision in favor of the northern variant caused dissatisfaction among community representatives, who preferred a southern bypass, which would be more expensive but could be implemented without demolishing residential buildings.

Demand for alternative solutions

The traffic situation in Zirchow is tense, especially in the summer months. This not only leads to traffic jams, but also puts a strain on the quality of life of locals and the tourism business. Waldmüller warned that a targeted solution must take into account the needs of the region and the financial framework. Citizens perceive the difficulties in planning the bypass as unacceptable. While Poland is making progress with the Swine Tunnel, the state government is still going through various approval processes for the Zirchow bypass.

New concepts are required for sustainable mobility that protects the environment and resources. According to the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport, alternative means of transport must also be promoted and individual motorized transport must be reduced. Strategies to improve the transport infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists should be pursued systematically in order to achieve long-term relief. Such measures could also increase public traffic in the region.

What's next?

While the discussion about the route and its impact on the environment and residents continues, the citizens of Zirchow are eagerly awaiting the federal government's decision on funding, which is expected in the summer of 2025. It remains to be seen whether the northern variant will actually be implemented due to its economic viability or whether the concerns of community representatives and environmentalists will be heard. The residents of Zirchow are clear: sustainable transport planning that takes both ecological and economic aspects into account is urgently needed.

In summary, the situation in Zirchow remains an exciting topic that is being monitored both locally and nationally - for many a test case of how the urgently needed mobility transition can actually be implemented.