Detailed planning of underground Kauklahti rock depot begins in Espoo
The City Planning Centre will through detailed planning explore whether a depot for commuter train traffic can be located in Kauklahdenmetsä. As the detailed planning begins, the area’s official name Kauklahdenmetsä, which is marked on maps, will be adopted. Previously, the area has been referred to as Näkinmetsä.
The depot to be planned would be part of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area’s transport system. Once the city railway between Leppävaara and Kauklahti is completed, commuter trains will serve Espoo residents even better through more frequent services. At the same time, a new depot space is needed for the storage and maintenance of trains. Espoo and Kirkkonummi are both committed to investigating possible depot locations in their area.
Kauklahdenmetsä is one of many possible locations
On 15 October 2024, the City Board urged the City Planning Department to start the detailed planning of the Kauklahti rock depot. The location and possible implementation of the depot will be decided later, and if necessary, inspections can be started in other locations. Alternative locations are Mankki in Espoo and Luoma and Vuohimäki in Kirkkonummi.
The goal of the detailed planning that is now being initiated is to determine whether Kauklahdenmetsä is a suitable location for the depot. Kauklahdenmetsä would have the advantage of a central location along the Rantaraitti waterfront walkway, Ring III and possibly the Länsirata track, should it be built in the area.
The planning area is located in a forest area between Näkinkylä, Mikkelä, Ring III and Espoonjoki, and partially north of Ring III in the Blominmäki area. The area is almost entirely owned by the city and, to a small extent, by the state.
Aiming to minimise impact on nature, landscape and people
Today, the area is mainly forest, through which runs a recreational route. The area has nature values and a regionally significant ecological connection. It is part of the regionally valuable Espoonjokilaakso landscape area.
An underground rock depot would be expensive to implement, but thanks to it, the impact on nature and the landscape would be as minimal as possible. The only aboveground elements would be the mouths of the tunnels, access routes and possibly some buildings.
In addition to nature and landscape values, the planning work examines the effects of the depot on, for example, the built environment, the living conditions of the residents of the environment, and the organisation of transport and technical maintenance.
Residents have opportunity to participate in spring 2025
At the beginning of the detailed planning, the city will conduct negotiations with the authorities, which will provide clarification on the planning conditions and the necessary reports.
In spring 2025, the City Planning Department will publish a participation and assessment scheme for the plan as well as relevant preparation material on which Espoo residents can comment. During the public review, a residents’ event will be held.
Further information:
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