Public participation on Bahnhofstrasse

Results of the public participation on the redesign of the central Bahnhofstrasse and the station forecourt - extract from the redevelopment newspaper WestPost issue no. 9, December 2022

After extensive public participation on the design of the street had already been carried out in 2017, another step back was taken in 2020 and the basic possibilities of how traffic could be reorganised in the area around Bahnhofstrasse were examined. On the basis of a clear vote by the residents, the city council then decided on variant 0 of the Kötzschenbroda traffic concept in November 2020, in which the traffic relationships for all road users should remain fundamentally unchanged. On this basis, the traffic planning office VerkehrsConsult GmbH from Dresden developed variants for the concrete expansion of the central Bahnhofstraße, the station forecourt and the Bahnhofstraße / Hermann-Ilgen-Straße junction. In this preliminary planning, the study area was divided into three sections (north, centre, south) and two variants were developed for each area.

The variants were on display from 4 October 2022 to 4 November 2022 in the shop window of the Tourist Information Point, Bahnhofstraße 8 and in the foyer of the Technical Town Hall, Pestalozzistraße 8 with prepared response cards. Participation was also possible on the Internet
was also possible on the Internet at www.radebeul.de.

The deadline for participation has now expired and the response was great. A total of 197 responses were received. 43 % of participants voted online. 57 % of the responses were received by reply card or letter.

Result northern section
In the northern section, which includes the station forecourt, a signalised crossing (traffic lights) for pedestrians and cyclists across Güterhofstraße was included in both variants that were available for selection. For the bus stop on the station forecourt, the requirement of the Meißen transport company VGM for a bus bay was also applied in both variants.

In both variants, the design planning was based on the design solution that was chosen by 60% of participants in the public participation in 2017. In addition to the bus stop with passenger shelter, the tree locations, the covered bicycle parking facility, the location for the Christmas tree and the tiled area were adopted from this.

After evaluating all the responses, the result in the northern section was clearly in favour of option 2, which dispenses with a signalised crossing for cyclists heading south via Güterhofstraße. This reduces the structural effort required to relocate the retaining wall.

Result centre section
In the centre section, the middle Bahnhofstraße, the basic division between road and footpaths had to be retained because this is a garden monument. It was not possible to provide separate cycle lanes.

Both variants were aimed at improving the quality of stay and enhancing the urban space with new tree planting and mosaic paving. Following consultation with the relevant heritage protection authorities, the historic road surface must be reinstalled on the carriageway. On the western pavement, it will only be repaired and reinstalled on the eastern side or replaced with the same material.

The only difference between the two variants was the number of trees and parking spaces.
number of trees and parking spaces.

After evaluating all the responses, a clear result can be seen in the middle section in favour of variant 2, in which a two-row avenue of trees is to be created on Bahnhofstrasse. The planting gaps in the western row of trees will be closed and a new row of trees will be created on the eastern edge of the carriageway, into which the two existing trees will be integrated.

Two parking spaces to the north of the pedestrian crossing are intended for disabled people or taxis.

Result of the southern section
The southern section, which includes the junction of Bahnhofstrasse and Hermann-Ilgen-Strasse, is to be made more compact and clearer. To this end, the pavement area in the eastern access road to H.-Ilgen-Straße was brought forward in both variants and a pedestrian crossing was installed.

In accordance with the traffic concept for Kötzschenbroda from 2020, both variants set up the driving direction from the eastern Hermann-Ilgen-Straße into Wilhelm-Eichler-Straße as a priority direction. In Wilhelm-Eichler-Straße, a cycle lane is to be provided in the opposite direction to the direction of travel. The narrow pavements in the existing road were widened where possible. On Bahnhofstraße, a parking space was provided for cyclists travelling northwards.

The differences between the two variants here were mainly in the routing of traffic from the western Hermann-Ilgen-Straße.

After evaluating all feedback, the result in the southern section was clearly in favour of variant 1, in which only left turns from the western Hermann-Ilgen-Straße in the direction of Wilhelm-Eichler-Straße are permitted. This creates a square in front of the building at Bahnhofstraße 4, where two trees can be planted. Pedestrians will only have a width of 5.50 metres to cross the future priority road on the western pavement of Bahnhofstrasse.

Around a quarter of the participants gave reasons for their decision in writing or noted suggestions and comments on their feedback. The issues of cycle traffic, parking spaces, traffic routing/calming and the detailed design of the street/square area played a particularly important role.

For benches, bicycle stands, bollards, etc., the models that were installed in the recently completed upper section of Bahnhofstrasse are to be used. The locations of the furnishing elements will only be determined in the further planning phases.

All comments will be analysed and summarised for the city council to make a decision. After consideration, the city council is expected to make a decision on construction at the beginning of 2023 so that the expansion can take place in 2023 and 2024.