Skåne railway expansion faces criticism over agricultural impact

A proposal by Trafikverket to expand the railway between Lund and Hässleholm from two tracks to four is facing local criticism. Critics argue that instead of creating a new railway line through the Skåne agricultural landscape, the two new tracks should be built parallel to the existing Southern Main Line (Södra stambanan).

Concerns have been raised that a new railway route would create a significant barrier in the landscape, splitting farmland and forcing agricultural machinery to take long detours. Such fragmentation could increase working hours, diesel consumption, and machinery costs, ultimately threatening the viability of farming in the region. The argument emphasizes that infrastructure should be concentrated within existing corridors to preserve precious, non-renewable agricultural land.