Konzer city council decides on resolution against gravel handling site
Konz, October 27, 2023
The Konz City Council will discuss Deutsche Bahn's plans at its next meeting. The group plans to build a so-called logistics center in Konz-Karthaus. This is a gravel transfer point: used gravel is to be stored there and reloaded onto trucks.
The administration currently has very little concrete information about the plans. However, in response to a letter from Mayor Joachim Weber, DB's corporate representative for Rhineland-Palatinate said that there was no alternative location for the planned project. Since this gives the impression that the residents and the city of Konz are faced with unchangeable facts, Mayor Weber has instructed the administration to draw up a resolution. The city council is scheduled to vote on it on October 31st.
The content of the resolution is an urgent appeal to Deutsche Bahn to stop the plans. “According to current plans, the planned transshipment point would be in the immediate vicinity of residential buildings, the elementary school, the St. Johann daycare center and the DRK senior center. This means that the operation of the logistics center would particularly affect vulnerable population groups: both children and seniors would be exposed to increased dust and noise pollution and school lessons would be disrupted,” says the draft text.
The immediate proximity to the monastery is also argued. “The listed building will soon be converted into a neighborhood and community center that will be used by clubs, young people and musicians. The monastery park has already been converted into an attractive lounge and relaxation area and there is a so-called “listening tour” in the monastery area for tourists. All of these positive developments are jeopardized by DB Netz AG's plans. A loud gravel handling area with countless individual sound events does not belong within hearing and sight of a place of rest and relaxation!”
Another point of criticism cited by the administration is the additional truck traffic, which according to the railway's plans should be routed through Granastraße and then turn around at the roundabout at Konz-Mitte train station.
Finally, the draft text says: “With great effort and high investments, the citizens and the city have worked in recent years to make the Karthaus location more livable for all generations. This would destroy DB Netz AG due to the expected traffic, noise and dust pollution.”