Jihočeský kraj confirmed the zoning decision for the station in Brno

Brno - The South Bohemian Region has confirmed the zoning decision necessary for the reconstruction of the Brno railway junction, said Jaroslav Hodina from the regional office in České Budějovice to ČTK today. It was not revoked, as the complainants, primarily the organization Children of the Earth, wanted; it was only amended in some points. The complainants can now turn to the court, and the decision of the office will acquire legal force after being delivered to the participants in the proceedings. Discussions about the Brno train station in České Budějovice have been ongoing for more than two years. The decision to move to South Bohemia was made by the Ministry for Regional Development due to the bias of the Brno magistrate.

The Railway Infrastructure Administration (SŽDC) could now continue with the construction proceedings. However, it depends on whether Children of the Earth will turn to the court, how long it will take, and what the court’s decision will be. ČTK is inquiring about the organization’s response.

SŽDC, as the investor, has been striving for a shift in the construction proceedings unsuccessfully for over ten years. The zoning decision addresses the variant of the Brno junction with the relocated station at the site of the current lower station. At the same time, it is a variant that does not consider an underground railway, i.e., the route from Chrlice to the underground part of the station. One of the tracks leading to the station is planned to go through the monument-protected area of the Masná burza. This variant was also promoted this year despite the positions of the city and region by the Ministry of Transport.

The zoning proceedings began in 2005, and the previous two zoning decisions were revoked. The appeals decided by the South Bohemian Region were filed by the complainants in 2013. "SŽDC is now familiarizing itself with the decision. Following the evaluation of the zoning decision, the next steps will be determined, which will be discussed by the Managing Committee of the Brno railway junction. The approved feasibility study and the confirmed zoning decision provide space to continue with project preparation,” stated SŽDC spokesperson Kateřina Šubová.

Officials from the South Bohemian Region, given when the construction proceedings began, omitted some parts in the decision and added others. "Laws have changed, which needed to be adapted to," said Hodina. Some positions from the Ministry of the Environment and conditions for construction have become binding. "In the event of a lawsuit, the matter will be resolved by the court in Brno," added Hodina.

The office's decision came at a time when it was already clear after years of discussions that the station, which is part of the junction reconstruction, will move one kilometer to the south. The relocation of the station is the reason why Children of the Earth have been opposing the zoning decision for more than ten years. The new station and reconstruction of the junction is expected to cost about 50 billion crowns. It is unclear when construction will begin and when it is expected to be completed. The reconstruction is necessary due to the fact that the station can no longer meet the growing demand for railway transport.