Kirkkonummi council’s decision to withdraw from the West Railway project was made without an impact assessment — and the municipality now looks set to bear the costs without the benefits. Recent news has reported that a group of residents is investigating the separation of Veikkola from Kirkkonummi. The investigation reflects in part how disappointed residents are with the decision of Kirkkonummi municipal council to withdraw from the West Railway project and reject one of the most significant development investments for Kirkkonummi in decades.
The plans for Northern Kirkkonummi have long rested on the possibility of a station. The key decision to withdraw from the West Railway project — which concerned the station — was made, however, without an assessment of the decision’s impacts and contrary to the proposal of the municipal officials. It is now known that the West Railway municipalities and the state will continue the project without the Veikkola station. The possibility of further negotiations proposed by those who opposed the West Railway agreement did not, in reality, exist, and Kirkkonummi will by all appearances bear the disadvantages of the West Railway without the benefits.
Despite assumptions, there are no separate negotiations with the West Railway in sight.
What does the West Railway decision mean for Kirkkonummi’s strategy?
Kirkkonummi has set as its goal to be the most desirable, vibrant and vital municipality in the metropolitan area. High-quality housing and functional connections to the capital region have long been among Kirkkonummi’s most important attractions. The Northern Kirkkonummi station would have met the strategic objectives by offering housing close to services and good public transportation, as well as new opportunities for business.
Which parties supported the project?
In making the decision, the ability of decision-makers to make strategically important, forward-looking decisions for the whole municipality was tested. The Greens were the only major party in Kirkkonummi of which the majority supported the West Railway agreement and with it the Northern Kirkkonummi station. By contrast, only one of SDP’s councillors did so, and none of the councillors from SFP, Pro Kirkkonummi or the True Finns, for example. Those of us who supported the project saw it as part of the municipality’s long-term development and the future of all of Kirkkonummi. Now we decision-makers have the opportunity to demonstrate that we can ensure that all of Kirkkonummi remains vital in the future as well, and to restore the trust of the residents of Northern Kirkkonummi in decision-making.
Before the decision I wrote about why I voted for the Western Rail Link . The broader picture of the public transport funding crisis is in Public transport cannot keep getting more expensive . Read more in the Western Rail category and the infrastructure category .
Published in Kirkkonummen Sanomat on 3 February 2026.
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