The negotiations have been fraught at times. But now the parties have finally agreed on a multi-billion-sek investment in a new railway between Gothenburg and Borås.
”"It's clear. There will be a new railway," says Johan Trouvé, CEO of the West Sweden Chamber of Commerce, to TT.
It was at a meeting on Friday that a consensus was finally reached on the final financial details of the controversial project. It concerned how around five billion would be paid.
The money was added after a route change in the previous plans. Ultimately, the Västra Götaland Region will pay 2.5 billion, while the City of Gothenburg will account for one billion.
”"Then it is distributed proportionally between the municipalities except for Gothenburg, which contributes a fixed amount. But regardless of how the project goes, we will only pay one billion," says the municipal executive's second vice chairman, Axel Josefson (M), to TT.
”"It feels very good that we have reached an agreement and that we can now have trains between Gothenburg and Borås. It will strengthen the very positive development we have in Western Sweden," he continues.
The announcement has now been made to the Minister of Infrastructure, Andreas Carlson (KD).
”"Everyone was overjoyed. It's probably one of the biggest historic decisions made in the county seat since it was built in the 17th century," says Johan Trouvé, CEO of the West Sweden Chamber of Commerce, who was at Friday's meeting.
A railway between Borås and Gothenburg has been discussed for decades. It was only in recent years that the plans looked likely to become a reality after the state earmarked 43.5 billion kronor for a western Swedish railway project.
But the negotiations between the parties – the Västra Götaland Region, Swedavia and the municipalities of Borås, Härryda, Mölndal and Gothenburg – have nevertheless been difficult and protracted. Not least because Härryda municipality had long opposed the proposed route.
In the end, the government was forced to call in the governor, Sten Tolgfors, as a mediator.
”"Sten Tolgfors has done a fantastic job. It has been difficult negotiations. The parties have different interests so it was a very good move by the government to appoint Sten Tolgfors," says Axel Josefson.
Source: TT-DI.SE
