Residents living near the Odense Light Rail continue their fight for compensation over noise and vibration disturbances. Today marks a new chapter in their long-running battle as the Assessment Commission begins its first visit to evaluate their complaints.
Fifty-nine homeowners have filed formal complaints about the light rail system that runs through the Danish city. Jesper Thinggaard Sørensen, who lives directly beside the tracks on Nyborgvej, explains their persistence. "We've taken our case to the Assessment Commission because we want compensation for the disturbances the light rail causes us," he said. "The noise and vibrations continue. Nothing has changed. If we lose here, we'll take it to court."
This represents the second attempt for these residents to secure compensation. Earlier this year, the Expropriation Commission rejected 94 out of 95 similar claims, awarding only one homeowner 40,000 Danish kroner (approximately $5,800). That commission determined the noise and vibration levels didn't warrant compensation under Danish law.
Denmark's compensation system operates through two independent commissions. The Expropriation Commission serves as the first instance for claims related to public infrastructure projects. When parties disagree with its decisions, they can appeal to the Assessment Commission. Both operate independently under the Danish Parliament.
Jesper Thinggaard Sørensen remains realistic about their chances. "I expect exactly the same outcome, but then we'll continue as a court case," he stated. The core disagreement centers on how noise and vibration measurements are conducted. "We hope to convince them that their calculations are wrong," Sørensen explained. "The calculations don't reflect reality. At minimum, we hope they'll conduct independent measurements inside our properties."
The Odense Light Rail has previously acknowledged that noise and vibration levels exceed limits at several locations along the 14-kilometer route. System operators have implemented mitigation measures including wheel grinding and rail lubrication since the line opened in May 2022.
Neither the Assessment Commission nor the Odense Light Rail provided additional comments about the ongoing process. The commission plans seven visits to Odense during November, meeting individually with all 59 complainants. Their review will focus specifically on claims previously rejected by the Expropriation Commission.
The commission estimates six to eight weeks for processing these cases, meaning final decisions likely won't arrive until late February 2026. For residents like Sørensen, this represents another delay in a years-long struggle that shows no signs of resolution.
The situation highlights the challenges communities face when major public infrastructure projects impact residential areas. Despite official acknowledgments of exceeding noise limits, homeowners find themselves navigating a complex bureaucratic process that offers little guarantee of relief.