Comment: A double defeat for ecology and economy – Bavaria

No suitable area found. Imminent legal problems. No prospects of success for a building permit. With these three arguments, Deutsche Bahn moderated its plan to build an ICE maintenance workshop in the greater Nuremberg area. Between the lines of the official justification, one can read relief at having found an elegant exit from the project. From day one of the site search, there was massive trouble, which irritated those responsible. There were demonstrations, citizens’ initiatives and resistance from local politicians, some of whom were intimidated by the wave of protests, at all of the original nine, later three and – after the spatial planning process – the last remaining location near Feucht.