The Plzeň councilors changed the zoning plan; the area of the former railway will be natural

Plzeň – The Plzeň city council approved the first change to the zoning plan this year. The biggest news includes the transformation of the area of the former railway between Plzeň and Chrást, which will be turned into a natural area, where there may be a cycling path. This railway line lost its significance after the commissioning of the railway tunnel under Chlum Hill near Plzeň in November 2018. Another significant change is the modification of the largest roundabout in the city – the Rondel on Karlovarská Street. This was stated to ČTK by the Deputy Mayor Pavel Šindelář (ODS). The change will take effect at the end of April.

"The former Plzeň–Chrást line is proposed as a natural area, where a cycling path connecting Plzeň with its landscape surroundings could be realized," stated Irena Vostracká, director of the city's concept and development department. On the 7.5-kilometer section from the Doubravka district along the Berounka River, in-line skaters will also share the path with cyclists, and a tourist draisine will operate on the five-kilometer section from Bukovec to Chrást. "Plzeň is addressing the transfer of land under the railway facility to Bukovec and from Bukovec to Chrást. We have a completed project for the cycling path and are negotiating with the Railway Administration to grant us permission to carry out construction on the railway body. They haven't wanted to so far, but we will continue to negotiate now," said Pavel Čížek (STAN), the Deputy Governor for Transport, to ČTK today. If the administration agrees this year, the cycling path could be established there next year. Furthermore, the region is requesting a gratuitous transfer of land, which is complicated because it requires government approval. "Only thereafter, and depending on whether the track remains or not, would it be decided if a draisine would operate there. However, the priority is the cycling path," added Čížek. Plzeň is now working on connecting the planned route with existing cycling paths.

The recently approved technical study for the Rondel intersection area was also included in the zoning plan. The half-century-old roundabout and the road with the tram line must first be filled in and then a level crossing constructed. The four-year construction, which will cost about half a billion crowns and could start in 2023, will connect the center with the largest housing estate, Severní Předměstí.

"The characteristic changes to the zoning plan mainly refine areas according to their actual use, for example, the area around Bolevecký pond (the largest recreational zone in Plzeň) with adjustments to the scope of recreational areas, and nearby, it is also an expansion of the sports complex area at Na Prokopávce," stated Vostracká. Public spaces were supplemented and refined according to planned construction intentions or processed zoning studies, such as the definition of public space with park areas at Na Remízku in the Lhota district.

The proposal for the change was submitted to the city by the processor, the concept and development department, at the end of last March. A public discussion took place on June 11. Based on the opinions of the affected authorities and comments from citizens, the proposal was modified. The final version contains 120 changes.