"They contradicted themselves." Roller ski track designers met with Bitsevsky Forest defenders.

Moscow residents are outraged by the mayor's office's plans to build a 100-kilometer roller ski track in the Bitsevsky Forest. Contractor representatives have organized meetings in various districts to discuss the project. 

The final design for the highway, activists write, has never been presented to residents. However, they were told that it would be an unfenced highway, with 250 streetlights, garages for equipment, a cafe, parking, and other infrastructure. There would allegedly be no logging. When the final design is ready, the designer's representatives will also inform the residents. found it difficult say, but they promised that it “will be agreed upon with the mayor’s office” and will be shown to residents. 

"They contradicted themselves. They said the project didn't exist yet, and then they'd show it tomorrow. They were confused," one of the participants said in an interview with NeMoskva. 

Plans for the construction of the highway were published According to the Moscow City Hall website, construction is scheduled to begin on March 15. Local residents are protesting the construction and collecting signatures. 

"We've already collected a lot of signatures; people are very outraged that such large-scale projects are being planned without their consent. We're collecting signatures until the end of February, then we'll submit appeals to the Moscow government and the mayor's office. In response to our other appeals to the mayor's office, we've been told that no work has been approved yet. If they begin now, they'll be illegal," the activists told NeMoskva. 

Moreover, a week ago in the forest area noticed The start of construction: parts of future fences, portable toilets, and trailers. But no logging yet. 

Photo: Protection of the Bitsevsky Forest