The construction of a fixed link across the Fehmarn Belt remains one of our most important infrastructure initiatives. The project will dramatically improve connectivity in the STRING region as well as the whole Scandinavian and Mediterranean corridor, while also drastically reducing travel times. This will directly lead to investment, economic growth, and new job opportunities.

Due to the lack of rail infrastructure an increased demand is being placed on the roads by cars and freight trucks around this geographical area, constituting a major environmental challenge. STRING is engaging with stakeholders at the local, regional and national levels to strengthen the railway networks and propose new solutions to countering the increasing road traffic. We work to put this on the national agenda in all of our member countries, and as an urgent topic to be addressed in Brussels.

The opening of the Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link between Denmark and Germany in 2028, will increase the number of trains transporting goods and passengers between Scandinavia and Central Europe. More freight on rail supports the EU target of moving goods from road to rail. Sweden is planning for high-speed rail between Stockholm and Malmö with the potential to continue to Copenhagen Airport and to Hamburg via Fehmarn. This supports the EU target that all core airports has high speed rail connectivity. An increased volume of trains will challenge the capacity across the Öresund Fixed Link. This consequently causes a risk creating bottleneck issues for green, sustainable transport of goods and labour market mobility across the Öresund.

New cross-border connections like an Öresund Metro between the urban nodes Copenhagen and Malmö and a  tunnel between Helsingborg and Helsingör are necessary to accommodate the increased demand for more capacity and better connectivity. STRING is engaging with stakeholders and governments to propose sustainable solutions and increase opportunities for business and the citizens of the region.

For our efforts to have maximum success, we also need to focus on eliminating all key bottlenecks in the Scandinavian and Mediterranean corridor between Hamburg and Oslo. STRING will analyse the stretch to pinpoint the bottlenecks creating the greatest problems and offering proposals on how to solve them. Each one will come with new challenges, but by not eliminating them, a reduction in journey times and a cut in carbon emissions will never be achieved.