Espoo surveying the placement of a commuter train depot in Näkinmetsä
The Espoo Rail Line and the development of a commuter train network along the Coastal Railway require the construction of a new depot for commuter trains. The City of Espoo proposes launching the preparation of a local detailed plan for Näkinmetsä, located between Kauklahti and Mikkelä. The planning process would examine whether an underground depot for commuter trains built into rock could be implemented in the area. The Espoo City Board will discuss the proposal at its meeting on Monday 7 October.
Building an underground depot in Näkinmetsä requires preparing local detailed plans for the area. Launching the planning process is linked to the decision by the City Board in December 2023, according to which the City of Espoo and the municipality of Kirkkonummi would investigate alternative locations for the depot. The planning process will determine whether a depot can be built in the area. The decision on the building of the depot will only be made later after the reports have been completed.
Underground depot allows preserving the recreational area
The location of the depot is linked to the currently valid Uusimaa 2050 regional plan. The location of the commuter train depot is marked on the border between Espoo and Kirkkonummi in the regional plan.
The Näkinmetsä forest, located between Kauklahti and Mikkelä, has been designated as a recreational area in the local master plan for the northern and central parts of Espoo. The location of the depot inside the rock would enable the preservation of the forested area and maintaining the ecological connection.
The draft of the Master Plan 2060, which was on display in summer 2024, presents a need for clarification for both Näkinmetsä and Mankki in regard to the construction of the depot. In the current master plan, the Mankki area is designated for agriculture and forestry use. The local master plan for Näkinmetsä supports the construction of the depot in the area.
Central location supports Näkinmetsä – Kirkkonummi to also survey options
When investigating different options, the City of Espoo has taken into account the functional and traffic needs of the depot. Due to its location and implementation method, the underground rock depot offers both clear benefits and risks that should be taken into account. Building into rock is expensive, but the central location is in the interests of the Näkinmetsä forest. In addition, the storage and maintenance facilities would be protected from weather and vandalism inside the rock.
The City of Espoo and external experts have conducted studies on the need for a commuter train depot and alternative locations during the 2020s.
The survey reduced the number of options and in autumn 2023, Näkinmetsä and Mankki in Espoo as well as Luoma and Vuohimäki in Kirkkonummi were assessed to be the most feasible alternatives.
The alternatives on the Kirkkonummi side will be assessed in more detail in the ongoing survey which is comparing the options in Kirkkonummi. Kirkkonummi also intends to start local detailed planning in its own area.