A disagreement has emerged regarding the future of high-speed rail infrastructure in Northern Germany, specifically concerning a proposed new ICE (Intercity Express) line traversing the Lüneburg Heath. Lower Saxony’s Minister-President, Olaf Lies (Social Democratic Party), has voiced his opposition to the Deutsche Bahn’s (German Rail) plans for a new construction, arguing it offers limited immediate benefit.
Lies stated his preference for focusing on the rapid expansion of the existing Hamburg-Hannover rail line. He emphasized his responsibility, as Minister-President of Lower Saxony, to prioritize this approach over pursuing new construction projects that he believes are poorly planned and likely to face protracted delays and criticism. He specifically champions “Alpha-E” a 2015 development concept previously agreed upon by the state government, municipalities and citizen initiatives, for which Deutsche Bahn previously provided assurances. Lies believes Alpha-E offers a pathway to increased capacity, alleviation of bottlenecks and strengthened rail hubs.
However, the proposed new construction maintains support from within the German political landscape. Matthias Gastel, the Green Party’s spokesperson for rail policy in the Bundestag, argues that the current Hamburg-Hannover route is critically overstressed, rendering upgrades or modifications insufficient. He insists that a new construction is necessary to secure connections and improve travel times. Gastel called for the Bundestag to decide on the rail construction proposal this year.
The Federal Ministry of Transport is currently preparing a report evaluating the viability of Deutsche Bahn’s plans, which is expected to inform the future direction of rail infrastructure investment in the region. The differing viewpoints highlight a fundamental debate regarding the optimal strategy for addressing increasing rail traffic demands.
