The transport senator even wants to expand the car-free zone. In doing so, it goes beyond the interests of retailers and, by the way, also of the majority of Berliners, says Gunnar Schupelius.
Friedrichstrasse is closed to motorized traffic on the section between Leipziger Strasse and Französische Strasse.
This lockdown, which started as a “pilot project”, is never to be lifted. This was announced by traffic senator Bettina Jarasch (Greens). She spoke “to many people involved,” she said, claiming: “Nobody wants cars to drive there again.”
That’s not true. On January 21, the association “Die Mitte e. V.”, in which 150 traders are brought together. The blockade must be lifted, they demand. The director of the Hotel “Regent” on Gendarmenmarkt, Claus Geißelmann, complained in the BZ that the arrival and departure of his guests was made considerably more difficult by the blocking of Friedrichstrasse.
Didn’t Mrs. Jarasch notice anything about this protest when she spoke to the “many people involved”? We wanted to know who she was actually talking to.
When asked, her spokesman told us that she had spoken to “neighbors” and also to associations, for example the Chamber of Industry and Commerce (IHK), the trade association, the Association of Berlin Merchants and Industrialists (VBKI) “and also with members of the association Mitte e. V.” Nobody asked for the road to be reopened. Is that correct?
► Read all of Gunnar Schupelius’ columns here
“Returning to the old situation with traffic jams, air pollution, narrow spaces and noise” does not make sense,” the senator then told us.
However, this traffic jam and this narrowness only came about through the blocking of Friedrichstrasse: Since then, all private and commercial traffic has been forced through Charlottenstrasse, which was therefore converted into a priority road.
Ms. Jarasch also has Charlottenstraße on her list, actually the whole area: the aim is to “make the Friedrichstraße location and its surroundings up to the Gendarmenmarkt an attractive destination for Berliners and their guests again”.
It sounds as if the area has lost its attraction because of the cars. Ms. Jarasch has not yet provided any evidence for this assertion and she cannot provide any either. Because the situation is relaxed. The traffic flows slowly around the Gendarmenmarkt, there are even parking spaces free.
Conversely, there is no indication that the quality of life on Friedrichstrasse has improved. The street looks desolate and empty, in summer and in winter, it is garnished with ugly street furniture and serves as a bicycle route.
Like her predecessor, the traffic senator misunderstood her task: she is paid to keep traffic flowing, not to block it.
Is Gunnar Schupelius right? Call: 030/2591 73153 or email: [email protected]