Garda station: Five Star Movement criticises project costing more than €200 million

Garda station: Paola Pollini, a regional councillor for the Five Star Movement, is challenging plans to build a high-speed rail stop between Rivoltella and the Torre di San Martino in the municipality of Desenzano del Garda, on Lake Garda. According to Pollini, additional works would be needed to make the station accessible, including a new road connection from the Sirmione motorway exit, car parks, interchange areas, pedestrian links and a protected connection with the historic railway line. The cost stated in the PFTE is reportedly around €200 million, compared with the €35 million estimated in 2018.

The councillor points out that the transport study and cost-benefit analysis are still being updated, and is asking the regional government to assess the project’s territorial, environmental and transport impacts. Her position also refers to the planned increase in regional services, reaching a frequency of one train every 30 minutes, and to the continued operation of high-speed connections at the existing stations in Desenzano and Peschiera. In her view, the new station could consume additional agricultural land without providing an effective alternative to private cars.