Road closure in Austria affects Hungarian commuters

A road in the Burgenland region of Austria, frequently used by Hungarian workers commuting to Austria, has been blocked by a concrete barrier. This road is located just a few kilometers past the border crossing at Sopron, with exits that previously led to Klingenbach and Siegendorf.

Author

Andrew Davison
November 26, 2024

The Klingenbach town council initiated this closure due to the rising volume of traffic caused by these commuters.

Impact on Commuters

The closure aims to reduce the influx of traffic from Hungary, especially following the closure of a nearby border crossing between Ágfalva and Schattendorf nearly two years ago. Commuters were then seeking alternative routes, leading to an increase in the number of vehicles traveling from the Sopron region into Austria each morning. The recent decision, finalized by the Siegendorf council, has already led to more congestion around the Sopron crossing, as frustrated commuters are compelled to find new ways to access their workplaces.

Dr. Máté Ruzicska, a lawyer involved in related legal actions, points out that any instance of road closure sets a precedent for future actions, which could threaten more routes for commuters. Legal challenges have been initiated against the Republic of Austria regarding "illegal" border controls that have negatively impacted commuters by causing delays. While the courts have dismissed some cases, challenges against the municipality regarding local road closures are still active.

The situation calls for political advocacy for commuters, but there appears to be a lack of political will to address these closures effectively. Legal experts suggest that Hungary could enforce EU laws potentially being violated by Austria more robustly at the European level.

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