The mayors of Bettendorf, Diekirch, and Ettelbruck were guests on RTL Radio on Saturday afternoon.
The topic of the day was the planned merger between five northern municipalities, namely Bettendorf, Diekirch, Ettelbruck, Erpeldange-sur-Sûre, and Schieren into a new major municipality called Nordstad.
The next step in this ambitious project is to draw up the draft bill for the municipal merger. However, all three guests stressed that it is still too early to talk about any infrastructure or construction projects that could take place after the merger. The scope of any potential projects is also dependent on the amount of state funding the project would receive.
The Nordstad municipalities demand €5,000 per resident from the Ministry for Home Affairs, instead of the €2,500 currently earmarked by the authorities. Bettendorf Mayor Pascale Hansen stressed that this sum is "absolutely justified" and not up for debate.
When asked about the recent purchase of Castle Birtrange by a private buyer, the mayors regretted the fact that the castle is no longer a public property. They assured that if their municipalities had been able to purchase it, it would have become a local heritage site, open to anyone.
Diekirch to become a "car free" town
On 19 May, the results of a mobility study on the Nordstad region will be presented to the public, followed by discussions with local residents. Diekirch Mayor Claude Haagen announced that his town is working on a concept to become "car free".
However, the change will not be implemented overnight, but rather gradually and, for instance, through the construction of park-and-ride areas out of town.
On the other hand, the project of a site for a regional branch of the Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) is already much more concrete. Haagen added that the site would also feature enough space for co-working spaces and start-ups.
No centralisation, except for the municipality's head office
Regarding schools, residents should not expect any major changes. Bettendorf Mayor Pascale Hansen stressed that the proximity to local residents will remain a key priority with a focus on schools for specific neighbourhoods.
Ettelbruck Mayor Jean-Paul Schaaf confirmed this, stating that no one is planning to gather every child in one place. Haagen added that the respective municipal administrations would also stay where they have always been.
However, the merged municipality will require a head office, which could only be located in Erpeldange-sur-Sûre due to its central location.
Ettelbruck railway station
The railway station in Ettelbruck is the town's biggest construction project at the moment. A project which, according to Schaaf, can only bring progress to the region.
The three mayors also expect the local population to increase after the merger.
In this context, a decentralisation of local associations could be possible. Additional funds would also be needed in order to better support local commerce.
Future municipal executive to feature one member from every municipality
Hansen stated that the charm of the Nordstad comes from the mix between the two urban and the three rural municipalities. A joint tourism concept for the Sûre region is also on the table.
One of the main worries, particularly by residents from the rural municipalities, is that the merger would lead to a loss of proximity and local identity. The three mayors argued that this would not be the case.
Haagen stressed that the future municipal executive would "in any case" feature a member from every municipality. He stated that seeing as the quality of life is high in every municipality today, it would naturally remain high in a merged municipality as well.
Municipal jobs are also safe, and the three mayors even estimate that the merger will create a number of new jobs.
Merger to be a done deal by 2023
Despite Covid-19, the municipalities are sticking with their target of finalising the merger by 2023. However, Hansen acknowledged that the residents must be involved further seeing as they still do not have access to all the information they need.
Haagen concluded by making it very clear that if just one municipality pulled out of the project, there will not be a Nordstad.
