The petition against the cable car in Brno is viewed by the councilor for transport as the beginning of a dialogue

Brno - Today, city councilors discussed a petition against the construction of a cable car from the Pisárky area of Brno to the university campus in Bohunice. Almost 5,900 people signed it, over 3,000 of whom live in Brno, said Jan Sychra, chairman of the South Moravian branch of the Czech Ornithological Society (ČSO), at today's meeting. Transport councilor Petr Kratochvíl (ODS) described it as "the beginning of a dialogue," however, no resolution was adopted by the councilors. Several opponents of the investment, which costs about 950 million crowns, attended the meeting with banners and bird masks, having come directly from Dominican Square, where they camped overnight in protest outside the town hall.

The petition signatories consider the construction of the cable car unnecessary from a transport perspective. They argue that it would also irreversibly damage the forest on the right bank of the Svratka River, threaten the life of dozens of protected bird species and other animals, and lead to the destruction of the only large roost for crows and jackdaws in South Moravia. "The impact on the environment was not properly assessed. We also do not know the arguments confirming the economic justification of the cable car," Sychra stated.

Kratochvíl noted that cable cars have been built and are still being built in many protected areas. "Investors certainly had to meet with conservationists there and fulfill their requirements. I believe that we can find a way in Brno as well. I see this as the beginning of a dialogue, and I would be happy to sit down at the negotiating table," said the councilor.

Opposition councilor Jasna Flamiková (Greens) proposed a resolution that would require Kratochvíl to organize a public hearing presenting analyses regarding the construction. However, the councilors did not adopt it. They only voted to acknowledge the petition.

The Brno Public Transport Company received a valid building permit this spring. Proponents of the cable car generally argue in its favor that many people arrive daily to the campus and surrounding area. The cable car could be used by those attending events at the multifunctional hall next to the Pisárky depot. The ČSO filed a lawsuit against the building permit, which the Municipal Court in Prague granted a suspensive effect. Until its decision, which could occur in the second half of September, the Brno Public Transport Company cannot continue with the construction preparations.