The high path near the cemetery in Wila needs to be rehabilitated. At the beginning of June, the local council announced that it had approved a loan of around 185,000 francs for this purpose. The project also provides for the path to be paved with asphalt.
This upsets some residents angry. “Many feel offended because they found out about this project from the newspaper,” explains Angelika Studer. She herself lives near the path and only knew about the intentions of the community because she is a member of the building commission.
“Many Wilemers consider the asphalting to be excessive.”
Angelika Studer, petitioner
“For us residents, too, it is clear that the Höhenweg needs to be renovated,” explains Studer. “It’s not about if, but how.” Specifically, many are bothered by the fact that the corridor is now to be paved. The community decided to take this step because the gravel path is often washed out when it rains.
Easier to care for, but exaggerated
A small group of residents have decided to launch a petition against it, says Studer. “And within a very short period of time we collected over 100 signatures.” And not just with the residents. “Many Wilemers consider the asphalting to be excessive.”
The petitioners recently submitted their request. This is accompanied by a cover letter that was written by primary school president Gisela Wahl. She herself lives directly on the Höhenstrasse.
The local residents are also aware that the natural surface is repeatedly rinsed out in heavy rain, says the petition letter. “It makes sense that a tar surface is easier to care for and therefore inexpensive to maintain.”
Nevertheless, asphalting is not necessarily a good option. The path would have to be cleared and salted again in winter. “Which, in contrast to the previous variant with split, would be less ecological,” complain the petitioners.
Not on record
It also bothered the offenders that the community was breaking a promise, it said. Ten years ago the road was handed over from the private owners to the community. In this context, the residents have expressed the concern that the Höhenweg remains a natural road.
“A paved road is always tempting to drive.”
Gisela Wahl, petitioner
“A written agreement was not made because the local council took the position that this path would remain a communal street with a rural character in the distant future,” writes Wahl in the accompanying letter. Community clerk Balz Zinniker confirmed on request that this fact was neither known nor on record.
Tempted to drive
The residents are now afraid that the asphalting could increase the traffic on the way. “A paved road is always tempting to drive,” writes Wahl.
«The path retains its current function as a footpath also after the renovation »
Balz Zinnziker, community clerk of Wila
There is already an official driving ban on the Höhenweg. Nevertheless, traffic is a problem, explains Angelika Studer. “Navigation systems are already guiding cars through the Höhenweg.” Once this is paved, this problem could increase.
Do not open any ditches
The petition was recently submitted to the municipality. Community clerk Balz Zinniker explains that the local council did not want to offend anyone with the asphalting.
«He has decided to renovate the high path as a maintenance measure. The path retains its current function as a footpath also after the renovation, ”he writes. The asphalting will not change the fact that the road will remain closed to vehicles.
The local council will now deal with the petition at the next meeting and decide on how to proceed. The petitioners are aware that their legal space is limited. “The local council decided within its budgetary competence,” says Angelika Studer.
“But we still hope that the local council will reconsider its decision,” she explains. Nevertheless, she and her colleagues are not looking for the confrontation course. “We do not want to open trenches or exchange spitefulness.”
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