Gesellschaft (a nature group) and several scientific societies opposed the plan. In 1913 an international competition was held for the best plan for a shipping route between Basel and Lake Constance. In 1919, a company wanting to build power stations in northern Switzerland were told that any such station at the Rhine Falls "must serve the economic interest of the public". In 1944, the Swiss Council of States granted permission to build the proposed power station. The permission was to become effective on 1 February 1948, with construction to begin in 1952. But in 1951, the Neuen Helvetischen Gesellschaft (New Swiss Society), under the leadership of Emil Egli, got 150,000 Swiss citizens to sign a petition protesting the project; among the signatories were 49 famous citizens, including Hermann Hesse and Carl Jacob Burckhardt. The petition not only scuttled the power station project, but effectively prevented all future hydropower and navigation engineering projects on the upper Rhine to the present day. Today, the falls are still under consideration for hydropower projects. If the full water flow were used, the power generated would average approximately 50 MW. The economic value of the falls as a tourist attraction may be greater. Tourism The nearest communities are Neuhausen am Rheinfall just north of the Rhine Falls, where tourists can also view the Wörth Castle (Swiss German: Schlössli Wörth), and Laufen-Uhwiesen, with the Laufen Castle (German: Schloss Laufen) overlooking the waterfall. Access to the other side of the river is possible through boat services or via a sidewalk on the railway bridge (Rheinfallbrücke) upstream of the waterfall. Aside from boat tours to the Rhine Falls' rock (Rheinfallfelsen), there are also viewing platforms with views on the waterfall built on both sides of the Rhine River. These are reached via steep and narrow stairs (access by fee on the Schloss Laufen side). Elevators exist in some places. Guided tours of various lengths start from Laufen Castle on the Zürich side of the falls – a youth hostel is also located in Schloss Laufen. Various restaurants are located in Schloss Laufen, Schlössli Wörth and the Rheinfall park. Public transport Public transport in Switzerland is famous for its density and its coordination between services (trains, busses and boats) due to the clock-face schedule. There are several train stations near the Rhine Falls. The closest ones, within walking distance, are on the northern side of the falls and on