Response to consultation proposal for a national plan for transport infrastructure

The Norrbotten Growth Committee welcomes proposals for investments in transport infrastructure in the county - but does not believe they are sufficient.

The Growth Committee believes in its response to the government's consultation that there is every reason to review priorities in the proposal for a national plan for transport infrastructure 2022-2033 based on the industrial development that has redrawn the map in a short time.

The proposal includes very important investments on the Malmbanan line and critical measures to increase capacity between Luleå-Boden and Luleå C. Measures that are already necessary to implement in the near future based on today's capacity needs. Unfortunately, none of these measures will be completed by 2033. At the same time, the business community is investing more than SEK 1 billion for a green transition.

The Growth Committee also sees a rapid completion of the Norrbothnia Line as an important prerequisite for the green transition, where the supply of skills must be ensured. The proposal rather implies a postponement and completion well after 2033.

For a coherent transport system and sustainable social development, the Growth Committee believes that the county transport plans need increased allocation when the needs for action in the regional road system, which in the long term will be very large to meet sustainable social development, are met.               

– Long-term and predictable transport planning is crucial for municipalities to be able to develop positively based on the enormous new industrialization in the north with all its opportunities, says Claes Nordmark (S), chairman of Norrbotten's Municipalities and municipal councilor in Boden.

– That Norrbotten represents Europe's treasure trove of natural resources such as forests, minerals, and green energy has long been known and is underlined by the fact that approximately 65% ​​of Sweden's raw material exports come from northern Sweden. Therefore, the international perspective must be given greater space in the national plan, through a focus on corridors, nodes, and flows, says Nils-Olof Lindfors (C), regional councilor. Norrbotten Region.       

About the Growth Preparation

The Growth Committee is a joint political body for the Norrbotten Municipalities and the Norrbotten Region in strategic growth issues and actions regarding transport and infrastructure in the county.

Here you can read more about Growth preparation

Want to know more?

Welcome to contact:

Claes Nordmark (S), chairman of Norrbotten Municipalities and municipal councilor in Boden,
Mobile number: 070-234 24 27

Nils-Olov Lindfors, Regional Councilor (C)
Mobile number: 070-380 00 44