The regional railway line between Cologne and Lüdenscheid is the most important local transport axis in the Oberbergischer Kreis. That’s why the community of Engelskirchen had a new one last year Park-and-Ride-Parking lot at Ründeroth train station. People with disabilities can park in five specially designated parking spaces; a wheelchair can be safely locked in specially installed boxes. But you can’t get to the platform without climbing stairs.
Will the renovation come this year?
Newly created parking spaces for people with disabilities | Image source: WDR / Piepkorn
The topic has caused a lack of understanding in Engelskirchen for years, because since 2020 the railway has repeatedly promised that the renovation is coming. Nothing has happened so far. Now the railway has announced on its website that it will finally provide barrier-free access. From the end of March, the railway line towards Cologne will be closed for five months due to renovation work.
Nevertheless, all factions in the Engelskirchen council passed a resolution. They appeal to the Oberberg MPs in Düsseldorf and Berlin to support the restructuring of the railways and ministries. The politicians fear that if the barrier-free conversion in Ründeroth does not take place during the upcoming construction work, rail commuters in Oberberg will be threatened with another route closure later.
Railroad crossing must be closed manually
The municipality of Engelskirchen has leverage in its hands. Because the railway line winds through the town, the railway would like to permanently close two crossings. One of them still has to be locked manually around the clock until the barrier-free conversion is finished. Because that’s what the railway promised the community in return for the closure.
Boxes for wheelchairs: The only way to get to the platform is by stairs | Image source: WDR / Piepkorn
It remains unclear whether construction will actually take place. The train could open WDR-Do not comment on the request yet. The renovation work should actually be carried out at the same time as the new one Park-and-Ride-Parking lot finished last summer. However, there were planning errors, so nothing came of it. Politicians passed the resolution despite the railway’s new announcement. The people of Engelskirchen have often been disappointed on this issue, according to the tenor in the council.
Ründeroth train station: When will the barrier-free expansion come?.
WDR Studios NRW.
11.02.2026.
00:43 Min..
Available until February 11, 2028.
WDR online.
Our sources:
- Reporter on site
- Council decision of February 10th
- Inquiry to the railway
Broadcast: WDR 2 Bergisches Land, local time, February 11, 2026, 6:31 a.m
date: 2026-02-13 05:05:00
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