Environmental advocates at DIHK demand swift action to fill transportation gaps on highways
In an interview with Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Peter Adrian, the President of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), highlighted the importance of rural areas in Germany as a significant economic area beyond agriculture. He emphasized the need for equal living conditions in all regions, particularly in terms of public services such as mobile networks, fiber optic connections, medical care, and regular public transport.
Adrian criticized the current situation, stating that only 36% of households in rural areas have access to a bandwidth of at least 1,000 megabits per second, compared to 86% in cities. He advocated for not just 5G at every rural location, but also for the implementation of fiber optics to bridge this digital divide.
In addition, Adrian urged the black-red federal government to prioritize the closure of existing gaps on the autobahn, particularly in rural areas. He highlighted that the construction of mostly short sections has been failing for years due to some studies. Closing these gaps, Adrian believes, would send a positive signal to people and businesses in the regions, benefiting them greatly.
Adrian also emphasized the impact of skills shortage on companies in rural areas, stating that they are more affected compared to major cities. He compared the importance of closing autobahn gaps to the expansion of renewable energies, but did not provide specific plans or actions regarding the skills shortage in rural areas.
Regarding the economic significance of rural areas beyond agriculture, no new information was provided. However, it is known that the closure of autobahn gaps can lead to improved accessibility, attracting businesses and tourism, enhancing logistics efficiency for local industries, increasing property values, and regional investment.
It's worth noting that current policies in Germany regarding autobahn development emphasize completing missing links in the network, particularly in rural areas, to improve connectivity, reduce travel times, and support regional economic growth. Proposed changes in planning law aim to streamline approval and environmental review processes for autobahn extensions in rural areas, accelerating construction while balancing ecological protection.
However, for precise and current planning law changes and detailed analysis of their impact, German federal or state transport ministries’ official publications or legal amendments would be the best sources, which were not present in the search results.
[1] For more information on recent infrastructural projects and their implications for local traffic and economy, please refer to the A40 closure near Bochum.
[Source: Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland]
- The President of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), Peter Adrian, advocates for the implementation of fiber optics to bridge the digital divide in rural areas, where only 36% of households have access to high-speed internet compared to cities.
- Adrian also called for the black-red federal government to prioritize the closure of existing gaps on the autobahn, particularly in rural areas, believing that this would attract businesses, improve accessibility, and enhance regional economic growth.
- In addition to infrastructure development, Adrian addressed the issue of skills shortage in rural areas, stating that companies in these regions are more affected compared to major cities, though he did not provide specific plans or actions for addressing this issue.
