Nature conservation by logistics in Basel
The trimodal Gateway Basel Nord (GBN), which is being realised by the Swiss logistics companies Contargo, Hupac and SBB Cargo, submitted another concept for nature conservation measures to the Swiss national transport office on 23 March
It contains more measures in favour of nature than the scheme announced 18 months ago. Since a large number of valuable plants and animals have settled on the site earmarked for the project in the north of Basel, Gateway Basel Nord had defined ecological replacement areas of almost 46 ha in 2020. This is an area four times larger than the project site, which will cover 11.5 ha.
"We’re convinced that our nature conservation concept is a very careful approach to conserving nature and that we’ll replace the same amount of land affected by the project with land of equal value," says Martin Haller, chairman of the board of Gateway Basel Nord.
In addition to the measures already announced, a nature bridge is planned on the site near the facility’s railway station, to strengthen a migration corridor for animals and plants. A 300 m bridge covering about 4,000 m2 will be built over the traffic areas, on which a species-rich dry meadow will be created. (sh)