The funding money is on the road: Numerous infrastructure measures implemented for the Münsterland cycling region

First phase of the ERDF funding project "Palaces and Castles Region Münsterland" completed on the subject of infrastructure

MÜNSTERLAND. Funding measures of the European Union and the state are not always apparent at first glance, nor can they always be seen on one's own doorstep. It is different with the "Münsterland Castles and Palaces Region" project. Started in 2019, it has now literally brought almost three of around six million euros to the roads in Münsterland in the area of infrastructure - in the form of lowered kerbs, new asphalt and a bridge extension. The goal is to improve the cycle paths, especially along the 100 Castles Route, so that Münsterland can continue to present itself as a premium cycling region.

"A cycle tour on the 100 Castles Route should be an experience for cyclists, which is why the basis must be right," says Kerstin Clev, head of the "Castles and Palaces Region Münsterland" project at Münsterland e.V. "A total of 19 municipalities have already implemented construction measures as part of the funding project. They have all submitted individual applications and completed the construction measures. In a second phase, measures to improve the path infrastructure are still pending in 17 towns."

Specifically, cycle path construction measures have been implemented in the following towns and municipalities: Ahlen, Ascheberg, Billerbeck, Borken, Dülmen, Ennigerloh, Heiden, Hörstel, Horstmar, Ibbenbüren, Legden, Lienen, Lippetal, Raesfeld, Rosendahl, Sendenhorst, Wadersloh, Warendorf and Wettringen.

"The measures were very diverse," says Hajo Gerdemann, responsible for infrastructure in the funding project. "They range from widening the bridge cap to safely guide cycling traffic on the Emmerbach Bridge in Ascheberg to new surface pavements along the Haddorfer Seen in Wettringen."

In the coming years, the project team also has plans in the area of e-mobility, for example for the expansion of e-bike charging or rental stations, as well as in the area of marketing for the castles and palaces region and the 100 Castles Route. The topic of market research should also provide additional insights and thus enable a more target group-oriented orientation. Fifty percent of the financial resources come from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), 30 percent from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, and 20 percent are provided by the project partners in the region. With a total volume of around ten million euros, the funding project is one of the largest tourism projects the region has ever jointly initiated.

Further information

The municipalities and districts of the region, Münsterland e.V., tourism stakeholders and owners and operators of castles and palaces are working together in the "Palaces and Castles Region Münsterland" funding project. From 2019 to 2022, the Münsterland is to be strengthened as a region of castles and palaces with four projects: information and guidance system, cycle tourism infrastructure, quality of experience and expansion of an SME network. In addition, the premium product "100 Castles Route" is to be further developed.

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