Deutsche Bahn: Bundestag paves way for new Hanover-Hamburg railway line

The Bundestag has approved the construction and expansion of the railway line between Hamburg and Hanover. This clears the way for further planning of the route by Deutsche Bahn. In parliament, the factions of the Union, SPD, Greens and Left voted for the project. The Bundestag's Transport Committee had previously approved the recommendation for a resolution by a majority. According to the resolution, “the new double-track construction between Hanover-Vinnhorst and Hamburg-Meckelfeld with a route length of 109 kilometers” is planned.

This means that the railway can continue to plan the new route. At the same time, the Bundestag is pushing to improve the existing route with several measures.

By a large majority, the plenary session followed a recommendation from the Transport Committee, in which the solution had been reached. The Hanover-Hamburg route is one of the most important rail axes in Germany and is heavily used. There are protests against a new building in Lower Saxony.

The CDU transport politician Michael Donth said that simply expanding the existing stock is not enough. Only the new line meets the requirements for capacity, travel time and lower impact on people and the environment. Anja Troff-Schaffarzyk (SPD) said that new buildings and existing buildings would be connected. Measures worth 250 million euros should be implemented on the existing route. Green Party deputy Julia Verlinden also welcomed the solution.

Protection for Bergen-Belsen concentration camp

On the new route along Autobahn 7 and Bundesstraße 3, long-distance trains between Hamburg and Hanover should travel 18 minutes less. The focus is also on expanding capacity for freight trains on the axis that connects the Port of Hamburg with southern Germany and abroad. However, it can take decades until the first trains run over a new route.