S-Bahn expansion: discussion on nature conservation in Bergisch Gladbach!

S-Bahn expansion: discussion on nature conservation in Bergisch Gladbach!

Important decisions are on the agenda in Bergisch Gladbach on June 11, 2025. A discussion meeting of the Federal Railway Authority (EBA) on the plan approval process for the S11 expansion will take place in the Bergischer Löwe community center. This affects section 2.1 from Cologne-Kalk to Bergisch Gladbach. The two days each begin at 9:30 a.m. and offer anyone interested the opportunity to arrive half an hour in advance. Here, objectors and those affected by the planned railway expansion have the chance to present their concerns, in a non-public manner, in order to shed light on all aspects in peace. On Thursday the discussion will last until 5 p.m. and on Friday until 2 p.m., with a 45-minute lunch break.

A crucial point in these consultations will be the discussion of nature conservation issues. The Thielenbruch FFH conservation area, which is crossed by the railway line, is particularly affected. Conservationists warn of threats to the species living there, including sand lizards, amphibians and various bird species. There is an urgent need to preserve these populations. The city is also required: During the 17-month full closure of the Duckterath commuter car park, replacement areas are necessary to prevent traffic collapse. These and many other aspects will be discussed during the discussion.

Plan approval process in detail

The plan approval procedure represents the legal framework for the construction of railway projects. The EBA independently examines the railway plans submitted, balancing both public and private interests against each other. This procedure is divided into several phases that often overlap. An overall overview of the performance phases defined by the EBA ensures that all requirements are met. This includes basic determination, preliminary planning, draft and approval planning as well as implementation planning.

• Grundlagenermittlung: Zielsetzung und Bestandsaufnahme der geplanten Maßnahmen.
• Vorplanung: Ausarbeitung unterschiedlicher Umsetzungsmöglichkeiten und Auswahl einer Vorzugsvariante.
• Entwurfsplanung: Detaillierte technische Pläne und erste Angaben zu Kosten.
• Genehmigungsplanung: Erstellung der Planunterlagen mit Einblick für Betroffene.
• Ausführungsplanung: Realisierung der geplanten Maßnahmen unter Berücksichtigung der fachspezifischen Anforderungen.

As the EBA explains on its website, operational facilities such as railways and engineering structures may only be built or modified after full approval. During the plan approval process, it is also necessary to carry out an environmental impact assessment as long as it is necessary to clarify all relevant issues and check the technical feasibility here.

Upcoming challenges

Another concern of the city is that the use of a daycare center in Gronau and the Gronau adventure playground is not jeopardized during construction work. There is intensive discussion about the 48 tips that First Alderman Ragnar Migenda and colleagues put forward in the planning process. Discussions will continue in collaboration with Deutsche Bahn to ensure that the impact on commuters and residents is minimized as best as possible. The aim is to schedule the construction work during the summer holidays in order to prevent any foreseeable restrictions for travelers.

With the planned S11 expansion, the city is aiming to improve local public transport, which should bring noticeable relief for many commuters. But the path to get there, as the upcoming discussion dates show, is anything but easy and requires foresight in planning and implementation according to KSTA in order to adequately take into account the interests of nature and the population.