Ründeroth station to finally become barrier-free after years of delays
Engelskirchen Awaits Accessible Station Upgrade—But Only If One Condition Is Met
For years, German rail operator Deutsche Bahn has promised to make Ründeroth station in Engelskirchen fully accessible. Now, the company says the long-awaited project could soon move forward—provided one key requirement is fulfilled.
Deutsche Bahn plans to implement barrier-free access to the central platform in the near future, with "essential construction work" scheduled during the RB25 line closure between late March and early August. A spokesperson confirmed this in response to an inquiry from our website.
The project has been designed so that the bulk of the work takes place during the planned shutdown to minimize disruptions for rail operations and passengers, according to Deutsche Bahn.
However, the exact timeline depends on "the participation and availability of suitable bidders." In other words, no construction firm has yet been selected, though the search is already underway.
Stairs Remain a Major Obstacle
The regional rail line between Cologne and Lüdenscheid is the most important local transport link in Oberbergischer Kreis. Recognizing this, the municipality of Engelskirchen opened a new park-and-ride facility at Ründeroth station last year. The lot includes five designated spaces for people with disabilities, along with secure lockers for wheelchairs. There's just one problem: reaching the platform still requires climbing stairs.
The issue has frustrated residents for years. Deutsche Bahn has repeatedly pledged to carry out the upgrades, yet nothing has materialized. Last week, all factions in Engelskirchen's council passed a resolution urging local representatives in Düsseldorf and Berlin to lobby the rail operator and relevant ministries for action. Whether this will succeed remains uncertain.
Politicians fear that if the accessibility upgrades aren't completed during the upcoming construction window, commuters in Oberbergischer Kreis could face another line closure in the future.
Manual Rail Crossing Adds Leverage
Engelskirchen does have one bargaining chip: because the railway cuts through the town, Deutsche Bahn wants to permanently close two crossings. One of them currently requires manual operation around the clock—and will continue to do so until the station's accessible upgrade is finished. That was the rail operator's promise to the municipality in exchange for the closure.
Originally, the accessibility work was supposed to be completed last summer alongside the new park-and-ride facility. Deutsche Bahn attributes the delay to the Federal Railway Authority, which requested changes to the plans. Once the upgrades are in place, the platform and trains will be step-free, eliminating the need for assistance for travelers with wheelchairs, strollers, or heavy luggage.
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