Developments worth HUF 80 to 90 billion will be implemented in and around the city of Szombathely as part of the Modern Cities Programme, two thirds of which will be financed from domestic fiscal resources, Lajos Kósa, minister without portfolio responsible for the development of county-ranked cities said at a press conference held in the Vas County seat on Monday.
He stressed the Modern Cities Programme is Hungary’s largest rural development programme ever which has an allocation of HUF 3,500 billion and concerns 6.5 million people.
He added the developments to be implemented in the next four years are fundamentally transport, industry development, cultural, sports and urban development projects, and Szombathely’s plans are fully in harmony with the programme which serves the development of the 23 county-ranked cities.
One of the most significant elements of the Szombathely programme which concerns the whole of the region is the development of the road network. This includes the construction of a four-lane express road between Szombathely and Kőszeg, the completion of the ring road around Szombathely and the construction of another four-lane express road between Szombathely and Egyházasrádóc which would simplify and accelerate traffic in the direction of Körmend.
Mr Kósa also said that according to plans they will invest HUF 2 billion in creating a common multifunctional site on the premises of the Szombathely industrial park for the city’s public utility companies.
He told the press that the construction of a new flood control reservoir in the village of Dozmat which would make Szombathely’s flood protection complete had already begun. In his words, it would be desirable to implement this project by also adding welfare functions, such as fishing tourism facilities.
According to Mr Kósa’s list, as part of the Modern Cities Programme in Szombathely the government supports the refurbishment of the Gothard Castle, the accommodation of the Schrammel Collection, the renovation of the Szombathely Gallery and Ruin Garden, the relocation of the bus terminal to the vicinity of the railway station, the construction of an indoor tennis complex and an equestrian centre, and the addition of a family wellness section to the city’s indoor swimming complex.
Csaba Hende, Deputy Speaker of the House and Member of Parliament for the constituency, pointed out that while the socialist-free democrat government only made promises, the civic government in office today has built the M86 road between Győr and Szombathely which is crucial for the development of the region.
The Member of Parliament also spoke about plans to build cafés, restaurants, walkways and an outdoor stage on the banks of the Perint Stream.
Mayor Tivadar Puskás pointed out at the press conference that the city of Szombathely is about to undergo an unprecedented phase of development.
(Cabinet Office of the Prime Minister/MTI)