Why don’t the politicians care???

By: Thomas Ström 9/19/17


Until now, I have not written anything about the West Link here on the blog.
It has been a conscious strategy as I have been following the debate, collecting facts about the project.
But now, I just cannot help it.
What is happening is crazy.

Last week, several thousands of Gothenburg residents demonstrated on Gustaf Adolf's square against the West Link. Some talk about 10 000 protesters and others about 14 000. But according to Gothenburg's politicians it was 2 000 protesters, tops.
How else can you explain the silence that has followed since this large protest?

Why do they not care?
Over the past year I have talked to many people in the construction industry. Everyone – whether an architect, geologist, builder or construction engineer – has been against the West Link. Everyone agrees that it will damage the city.

The most eye-catching part of the project is the station in Haga. The profit is so small while the cost is gigantic.
Some time ago, I spoke with a quality manager in the construction industry, who had worked with the relocation of the city of Kiruna. He and all his colleagues agree that there will be huge subsidence damage in Gothenburg in connection with the construction of a tunnel to Haga.

In addition, almost all of Gothenburg's business in central Gothenburg will be affected. I really feel for the shops, restaurants, cafés and other businesses, which will see their streets and parking spaces excavated. Customers will not find their way there anymore.

A simple comparison is the conversion of Övre Husargatan, which was made a few years ago. It was an extremely small project compared to the West Link, and shops and other businesses along the street could barely make it.
What will happen this time?
How many businesses will go into bankruptcy, and how many will make it?
How many jobs will disappear?
Yes, the list of questions could go on and on. We will have the answers in about 10 to 15 years.

As it seems, the decision of the project’s execution is evidently irreversible.
And the big question remains: why do the politicians not listen to the residents?