Solingen's City Ring debate heats up as Green Seniors defend bus access for elderly
A dispute over Solingen's Ohligs City Ring has intensified after the Green Seniors rejected calls to fully close Lennestraße to buses. Local groups, including the Ohligser Jongens, ISG, and OWG, had demanded the removal of the City Ring route. The Green Seniors argue that such a move would harm older residents who rely on public transport.
The debate over the Ohligs City Ring has dragged on for weeks, with political divisions deepening. The CDU and FDP oppose the plan, warning that losing over 70 parking spaces would hurt shops and residents. Meanwhile, the Greens back the scheme, citing safer school routes and better transport links. A compromise from the VCD suggested adjusting bus routes, while the BfS proposed dropping the Heiligenstock stop in favour of Aachener Platz.
The Green Seniors have now firmly opposed demands to abandon the City Ring and fully close Lennestraße. They warn that shutting the road to buses would remove the 'Ohligs Markt' stop, forcing older people to walk further. For many, especially those with limited mobility or carrying shopping, longer distances to alternative stops would create real difficulties. The group stresses that public transport is vital for older residents and frames the issue as a social concern. They support the current transport plan, which reduces bus traffic on Lennestraße while keeping essential connections to Ohligs city centre. So far, no detailed alternative proposals have been put forward by the opposing local associations.
The Green Seniors' stance keeps the City Ring plan in place for now. Their focus remains on protecting bus access for older residents, particularly those who depend on nearby stops. Without alternative solutions from critics, the current transport proposal is likely to move forward as planned.
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