Saxony's government is hoping for more speed and less bureaucracy from a new road law. Infrastructure Minister Regina Kraushaar (CDU) presented a draft bill to this effect.
In future, there will no longer be a planning approval procedure for renovation projects. This will also apply to new bridge replacements and the addition of cycle paths to roads. However, planning approval procedures are still mandatory for new constructions.
Many renovations take far too long due to bureaucracy
"Too many renovations have been unnecessarily protracted so far - I want to change that as soon as possible," said Kraushaar after the cabinet meeting in Dresden. The aim now is to create the legal basis so that refurbishment projects can be implemented more quickly. "This not only saves time and resources, but also spares everyone involved unnecessary nerves and tests of patience," emphasized the minister.
According to Kraushaar, bureaucracy reduction often fails because people want to turn the "really big wheel" and change everything at once. There is also a lot of suffering with bureaucracy in the authorities. If the legal requirements change, the authorities will be "unleashed".
Another key concern of the amendment is to make it easier to expand the digital infrastructure: the expansion of mobile networks along state and district roads is to be made easier. In future, the responsible road construction authority will be able to grant approval for the construction of telecommunications lines.
Law needs votes from the opposition
After the bill has been presented, the associations will be consulted. "We are now focusing on the consultation process," said Kraushaar. This is a first for the CDU-SPD minority government. It lacks ten votes for a majority in the state parliament. It must therefore involve other parliamentary groups in the project. The bill is to be introduced to the state parliament in the summer.
Copyright 2025, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
