Luxembourg authorities to destroy a part of the city park for the sake of a new tram route, environmentalists are against it
This spring, the Luxembourg Ministry of Transport presented a new plan for the development of tram routes in the capital. A new tram route appeared on it. It’s link between the rond-point Schuman and the boulevard Royal. It will also run alongside the city park on the avenue de la Porte-Neuve.
However, not everyone liked this idea. The new line will reduce the number of transfers. But what’s the price? The city will have to cut down trees and shrubs on avenue de la Porte-Neuv. They protect the Kinnekswiss meadow in the city park from the noise and pollution of the highway. Therefore, the Natur&Ëmwelt green lobby strongly opposes the new route.
A park and trolley problem
Why can’t tram tracks be built without destroying a part of the park? The avenue de la Porte-Neuve and Boulevard Royal already have a three-lane motorway, as well as a dedicated bus lane. It is also planned to create a new lane for cyclists, who are forced to ride on the sidewalk for now. There is simply nowhere for the tram route to fit. Unless, of course, some trees are cut down.
This is the position taken by Luxembourg mayor Lydie Polfer. Back in July, she said bluntly that you can’t get something new out of nothing. And the mayor’s office intends to build a new route with the least possible damage to the park.
However, Natur&Ëmwelt has a counterargument. You don’t have to sacrifice trees if you can get rid of cars. Activists offer city authorities to think seriously about the future. And start creating a new concept of movement in Luxembourg right now. The concept they propose is based on soft mobility — roller skates, skateboards, scooters and bicycles.
Whether the authorities will start a dialogue with the green lobby, and what they will decide to sacrifice in this situation, is still unknown.
