Decade-Long A20 Highway Dispute Nears End Over Bat Protection Deal

A bitter legal battle over bats and highways finally yields compromise. Could this be the end of Germany’s most infamous infrastructure standoff?

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2025 November 10 . 9:00 AM

1 min read

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A20 Extension Approaches - Agreement with BUND in Sight - Decade-Long A20 Highway Dispute Nears End Over Bat Protection Deal

A decade-long dispute over the extension of the A20 highway near Bad Segeberg appears to be nearing resolution. The Federal Administrative Court halted further construction in 2013 due to insufficient bat protection measurements. Now, a breakthrough has been reached between Friends of the Earth Germany (BUND) and Schleswig-Holstein’s Transport Minister Claus Ruhe Madsen.

The Segeberg chalk caves, home to Germany’s largest bat hibernation site, have been at the heart of the controversy. BUND has reportedly agreed to withdraw its lawsuit against the 10-kilometer stretch of the A20 between Weede and Wittenborn. Both parties have confirmed a broad agreement, with final steps to be taken by the cabinet and BUND's governing bodies.

As part of the agreement, the state will fund enhanced bat conservation measurements in the region. If approved, BUND will withdraw its lawsuit before the Federal Administrative Court in Leipzig on Wednesday. The coastal A20 highway has ended just east of Bad Segeberg for over a decade due to the lack of adequate bat protection measurements.

A final draft agreement has been negotiated by Minister Madsen and BUND, with approval expected from Schleswig-Holstein’s black-green coalition cabinet and BUND’s state executive board on Tuesday. The resolution of this dispute paves the way for the extension of the A20 highway, while ensuring the protection of the region's vital bat populations.