Cologne's rail connection for Widdersdorf: An omission that accuses!

Cologne's rail connection for Widdersdorf: An omission that accuses!

In Widdersdorf the patience of the residents is at an end. Since 2007, the first families in the district have been waiting in vain for a connection to the Cologne transport company (KVB) light rail network. Today, June 23, 2025, it is once again clear that the expansion of light rail line 4, which is supposed to connect Widdersdorf with Niederaussem, has stalled. Mayor Henriette Reker recently described the lack of rail connection as an “inexcusable oversight,” which further fueled unrest in the community.

The project includes a light rail extension from Cologne-Bocklemünd via Widdersdorf and Pulheim-Brauweiler to Bergheim-Niederaußem. The advantages are obvious: connections to Cologne that are close to your home and are easy to change, offering higher speeds and better transport quality. As experiences from similar projects in Brühl, Frechen, Hürth and Wesseling show, such direct light rail connections can significantly increase the share of local public transport (ÖPNV) in total traffic. This is particularly important when you consider the city of Cologne's intended mobility transition, which wants to encourage more people to switch to the train stadt-koeln.de reported.

Political responsibility and feasibility study

However, the city of Cologne does not see itself in a position to continue the project in terms of personnel or finances. Instead, the Rhein-Erft district should take the lead, even if there is no experience with light rail routes there yet. This is seen as a late and problematic solution, especially since Cologne, as a city of millions, should have the right to sovereignty over such crucial projects. Widdersdorf residents' doubts about an upcoming rail connection are palpable, and many are wondering whether the project will ever be realized.

The next crucial stage is the creation of a feasibility study, which should take into account the suggestions from a preliminary study and the results of citizen participation. Political decisions for this study have already been made and the commissioning is expected to take place in 2024. The processing time for the feasibility study is estimated to be around two to three years, so the Widdersdorfers will probably have to wait a while for clarity.

Expansion of the light rail network as the key to the mobility transition

Like from agglomerationsprogramm.de highlighted, the expansion of the light rail network is a prerequisite for a successful mobility transition. There are currently several concrete projects being planned that will not only improve city traffic, but also connections to the surrounding area. A higher level of public transport offerings could increase the overall attractiveness of local public transport and help more Cologne residents switch to buses and trains.

The residents in Widdersdorf are fervently hoping for progress that will finally enable a future-proof, reliable transport connection. The urgency is palpable and one can only hope that the political will is there to overcome this challenge.