Compensatory planting for premium cycle path begins

The felling on the new cycle path is replaced by planting on the Hartweg. Picture: Walter Müller-Wähner

This week - depending on the weather - work will begin on the so-called compensation and replacement measures that were defined for the individual construction sections as part of the planning for the premium cycle path from Küchwald to Wüstenbrand following an impact assessment in accordance with nature conservation law.

As compensation, an area previously used for agriculture on parcel 120 in the Neustadt district - an area east of the A72 motorway, bordered to the north by the Harthweg and to the south by the D4 cycle path, Saxon city route - will be partially reforested.

A total of 8,069 trees and shrubs will be planted there, distributed among the various species as follows:

For the forest edge - shrub belt:
483 x hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)
483 x common blackthorn (Prunus spinosa ssp. Spinose)
488 x Common weeping cherry (Prunus padus)
362 x Common rowan (Sorbus aucuparia ssp. Aucuparia)
286 x European monkshood (Euonymus europaea)
407 x dog rose (Rosa canina)
Total: 2,509 plants

For afforestation - trees:
1,428 x European beech (Fagus sylvatica)
1,134 x hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)
848 x Sessile oak (Quercus petraea)
848 x Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur)
262 x Winter lime (Tilia cordata)
262 x Field maple (Acer campestre)
262 x Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus)
262 x Norway maple (Acer platanoides)
254 x bird cherry (Prunus avium)
Total: 5,560 trees

In addition, a farm track will be created, which will be used both for the planting itself and in future for the maintenance and management of the reforestation area. The area will be fenced off to protect the young plants.

The construction costs totalled 355,500 euros. The compensatory measures are funded by various programmes. A reforestation area of approx. 9,850 square metres plus a forest edge of approx. 6,190 square metres was allocated to construction section 2.0 of the cycle path. This section is being funded by the special "Town and Country" programme with a funding rate of 85 percent. A reforestation area of approx. 14,960 square metres was allocated to construction section 2.1 of the cycle path. This section is being funded by the special "Town and Country" programme with a funding rate of 90 percent. The "Stadt und Land" special programme has been reclassified in the economic plan of the "Climate and Transformation Fund" at federal level.

The work is being carried out by Grünbau Bad Schlema. The planting work should be completed by the end of May. The subsequent completion and development maintenance will run until 31 October 2028.