Sweden: new right wing coalition halts high-speed rail projects

[jamesontheroad]

Last month the right-wing bloc in Sweden's Riksdag (parliament) won the majority of seats needed to form a government. This includes the Moderates (M), Christian Democrats (KD), Sweden Democrats (SD) and Liberals (L).

Per the Swedish railway news site Järnvägar.nu, representatives of these four parties have now commited to stop the construction of new high-speed rail in Sweden. This predominantly affects the first phase of a new high-speed railway from Stockholm to Malmö.

”Utifrån prioriteringar om den samhällsekonomiska och miljömässiga nyttan säger Moderaterna, Kristdemokraterna, Sverigedemokraterna och Liberalerna nej till höghastighetsjärnväg. Externa beräkningar pekar på en sammanlagd kostnad för projektet på upp emot 350 till 400 miljarder. De tidsmässiga vinsterna blir begränsade.”, skriver Thomas Morell (SD), Maria Stockhaus (M), Magnus Jacobsson (KD) och Helena Gellerman (L) i den gemensamma motionen som lämnades till riksdagskansliet måndag 3 oktober.

Translated:

"Based on priorities regarding the socio-economic and environmental benefit, the Moderates, the Christian Democrats, the Sweden Democrats and the Liberals say no to high-speed rail. External calculations point to a total cost for the project of up to 350 to 400 billion. The temporal gains will be limited," writes Thomas Morell (SD), Maria Stockhaus (M), Magnus Jacobsson (KD) and Helena Gellerman (L) in the joint motion submitted to the Riksdag Chancellery on Monday 3 October.

 

[JonasB]

It was made clear this week when they handed in a common motion to the parliament. Although it seems they are not sure themselves what it means, a representative from M has stated that this will not affect Ostlänken*, but a representative from L said that all projects, including Ostlänken, will be reevalutated.

*Ostlänken, the east link, is a planned 250 km/h rail line from Järna, outside Södertälje, to Linköping. Construction is scheduled to start in 2024. It is expected to cut travel time between Stockholm and Linköping by 35 minutes.

 

[popeter45]

Should note that 350-400 billion Swedish kroner so about 28-32 billion pounds if my conversation ratios still stand

 

[Busaholic]

Should note that 350-400 billion Swedish kroner so about 28-32 pounds if my conversation ratios still stand

1 krona equates to c £0.081 pounds, or 8.1p, so I think you're out by a ratio of ?? (I'm too lazy to work it out).

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

I am left-wing but I approve, perhaps they are doing the right thing for the wrong reasons. Travel is easy enough already, people should not be encouraged to travel more.

I very much hope they are stopping building roads too.

 

[JonasB]

It's not about making travel easier, it's about cutting travel time (and make the train more competitive compared to flying) but mostly about adding more capacity which is needed.

 

[Royston Vasey]

Should note that 350-400 billion Swedish kroner so about 28-32 pounds if my conversation ratios still stand

That seems very reasonable.

 

[30907]

1 krona equates to c £0.081 pounds, or 8.1p, so I think you're out by a ratio of ?? (I'm too lazy to work it out).

That seems very reasonable.

The word billion is missing before pounds, so +/- 30bn.

 

[popeter45]

The word billion is missing before pounds, so +/- 30bn.

yea that was a typo by me, corrected now

 

[JonasB]

It seems like Ostlänken will not be stopped according to statements in the media.