Referendum says no to zoo tram, but yes to route 1

International news is probably more focussed on the impact of today's referendum on Swiss drug legislation. However, in the other news, cantonal voters rejected VCS's initiative to extend the tram to the zoo entrance. Only 27.2% of votes cast were in favour. The defeat is disappointing but was to be expected. There was not a very high profile campaign for this initiative, with VCS probably being more concerned with defending the right of about 30 organisations including itself to raise planning objections and defer construction projects when they believe environmental standards are not fulfilled (Verbandsbeschwerderecht ). Without this right, regulations can more easily be infringed. The law has been broadly criticised by the business sector. However, 66% voted in favour of retaining this valuable right.

Another tram-related result concerns the redefinition of building lines in Neufrankengasse in Zürich's Kreis 4. This modification will permit the future tram route 1 to use this corridor. Despite local opposition(where it was rejected by 54.7%), city voters approved by 61.8%, meaning the building line can now be changed. In an interview in the Tagesanzeiger newspaper, city councillor Ruth Genner says the new tram line will be built in 10 to 20 years time (it was not actually included in VBZ's Vision 2025 in 2006). This result fulfils a valuable prerequisite in safeguarding the alignment.

this item was added on 30.11.2008 (5626 days ago)
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