Linköping municipality is demanding SEK 157.5 million in compensation from the state after the government's decision to scrap plans for a new railway station in the city. The amount covers planning costs for Ostlänken since 2013. Municipal councilor Stefan Erikson (M) criticizes the state for damaging trust.
Linköping municipality has decided to demand SEK 157.5 million from the state. The amount covers costs for planning and investigations ahead of the Ostlänken construction and a new railway station since 2013. The decision follows the government's announcement last week to scrap the plans, as reported by SVT Nyheter and P4 Östergötland.
The government announced last Tuesday that Ostlänken, running between Järna and Linköping, will end at Tallboda instead of continuing into Linköping with a new central station. The aim is to cut costs by eight billion kronor by retaining the current connection to Stångådals- and Tjustbanorna.
Municipal councilor Stefan Erikson (M) tells SVT Nyheter: ”We have, on the state's advice, invested Linköping residents' tax money for many years. Now there is no return on that money, so it is reasonable to demand it back.” He previously called the decision ”a major betrayal” and ”a joke” to P4 Östergötland.
Erikson stresses that trust in the state has been damaged. ”I really hope the state takes this compensation claim seriously,” he says.
