Ornithologists are suing the permit for the construction of a cable car from Brno's Pisárky to the campus

Brno – The Czech Ornithological Society (ČSO) has filed a lawsuit with the Regional Court in Ostrava against the permit to construct a cable car from the Brno district of Pisárky to the university campus. They disagree with the biological assessment conducted, as the organization believes the construction will negatively impact a significant bird area. Jan Sychra, chairman of the South Moravian branch of the ČSO, told reporters today. Hana Tomaštíková, spokeswoman for the Brno transportation company, told ČTK that they acknowledge this information and will continue the project based on the city's decision.

Ornithologists are concerned about bird collisions with support cables and glass surfaces, as well as disturbances to all wildlife. According to them, the last major winter roost of field crows and common jackdaws in South Moravia is directly in the path of the planned cable car. "Our arguments were not heard, which is why we filed an administrative lawsuit against the permit issued by the Railway Authority. We will also add a proposal for a suspensive effect. Furthermore, we have asked the regional office to propose declaring the area as a protected land or a temporarily protected area," Sychra stated.

The ČSO has created a petition against the construction of the cable car, which according to Sychra has been signed electronically by 3,900 people and physically by about 2,000. They are also planning concerts and happenings to engage the public. In addition to the impact on nature, the organization points out the lack of a study that would outline the costs and benefits of the construction. Filip Poňuchálek, spokesman for the Brno city hall, had previously told ČTK that the analysis would be part of a potential funding application.

The Brno transport company received an officially granted construction permit last week. The construction is estimated to cost 950 million crowns, but the city does not want to pay for it entirely from its own budget and will seek funding from EU funds. Supporters of the cable car argue in its favor that many people arrive daily at the campus and surrounding areas, and the cable car could be used by those attending events at the multifunctional hall next to the Pisárky tram depot, which is under construction. "In normal operation, we expect regular use by employees and patients of FN Brno, employees and students of MUNI, or employees and visitors of Campus Square,” Tomaštíková stated.

The need for the cable car is questioned by the opposition Greens. They argue that the campus area and the hall are already sufficiently served by trams, trolleybuses, and buses. "Regular Brno residents will not use it. It will be an attraction, and it is questionable whether to pay for it, not only in money but also in the loss of nature. We will want a study that describes the economics and transportation sensibility of this project,” noted councilor and mayor of Nový Lískovec Jana Drápalová (Greens).