From Friday, August 28, the Limited Traffic Zone returned to Kazimierz, Kraków. Entrepreneurs from this area are protesting against such changes.
Discontent entrepreneurs
“Our contractor confirms that he will be able to implement the new traffic organization project in Kazimierz from Friday morning (28.08.2020). Therefore, the changes planned by the city traffic engineer will come into force from that day” – admitted earlier on last week the Road Authority of the City of Krakow.
The Krakow office justifies that the SOR (Strefa Ograniczonego Ruchu = Limited Traffic Zone) in Kazimierz is restored in order to maintain a balance in the common space for residents, entrepreneurs, and tourists. It also comes as a response to the requests of the District Council I Old Town.
“The conducted analysis showed that the functioning of the Śródmieście Paid Parking Zone alone did not solve the problem of excessive car traffic in Kazimierz. It should be remembered that this is a place with increased pedestrian activity, which was also confirmed by the conducted analysis”.
Protests against SOR
Entrepreneurs from the Kazimierz area, who were also joined by residents, entrepreneurs, and taxi companies from other districts of Krakow, are protesting against the SOR. As a protest, on Wednesday (August 26th), they conducted a picket in front of the city hall. “By its decision to create a Limited Traffic Zone in Kazimierz, the office contributes to the collapse or deterioration of the already disastrous financial situation of our companies. The city’s policy also leads to the depopulation of the center of Krakow” – argue the protesters.
They also note that during the coronavirus pandemic, when the city’s financial situation has deteriorated significantly, the introduction of the SOR will result in the loss of a large part of the budget revenues from fees in the parking zone, which Kazimierz is covered by.
Restored SOR
The restored SOR will coincide with the area where restrictions have been in force since 2017. SOR will cover Plac Nowy and the surrounding streets, incl. Corpus Christi, Joseph, Esther, Kupa, Jakub, Wąska. “In addition, due to numerous complaints from residents about disturbing order and dangerous behavior of some drivers, on part of ul. Miodowa pilot, a traffic restriction will be introduced, applicable only on weekends, when most of the time there is no paid parking zone. However, this solution may change when a paid parking zone will be introduced on these days” – informs the City Hall.
Permits for SOR
Permits for entry to the SOR remain unchanged. The following vehicles will be able to enter this zone: with a type K parking subscription for sector A13 and with a type E parking subscription; between 6-11 and 16-20 only for and for the duration of loading and maintenance activities; with an electric motor without a trailer; bicycles; taxis; special services, municipal services, labeled medical assistance; commuting to the property, garage or reserved space purchased; with mail; money convoys to banks in the zone; with the permission of the road administrator.
“We would like to emphasize that the observed changes in the traffic intensity and the epidemiological situation may cause a change in the functioning of the Limited Traffic Zone” – emphasizes the office.
Original article in Polish language can be found here.
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