Warsaw’s clean transport zone is shamefully designed, because nothing justifies such wide boundaries of this zone. Especially since this includes, for example, Wisłostrada, which is a main road, but also a road that residents use to transact important matters, for example in the center – Paweł Skwierawski told PAP on the initiative of Stopkorkom residents.
Skwierawski pointed out that the idea of a clean transportation zone is unfortunately based on manipulation, repeated by both the media and local government officials.
There is a myth that cars are toxic and deadly
– he explained.
He added that until 2020, when there was a lockdown in Poland and car traffic in Warsaw fell by 80%, there were no studies that could test different theoretical assumptions about air pollution.
He said that the association “Lubię Miasto” had conducted research based on GIOŚ pollution data and mobility data from Google and Apple.
It turned out that the amount of dust collected during the lockdown was the same as in the two previous years. Carbon monoxide levels were also at the same level; only an 8% decrease in nitrogen dioxide pollution was observed
– he explained.
He noted that the Stopkorkom Agreement had therefore conducted its research based on satellite data received from the NASA Space Agency.
We have analyzed the lockdown period, i.e. 2020 and the next two years
– he explained.
It turned out that in March 2020, so at the beginning of the lockdown, we had a higher concentration of nitrogen dioxide than in 2022. In April it was lower, and in May it was higher again than in 2021 and 2022. To explain this, we have we used temperature data from the Institute for Meteorology and Water Management. They showed that March, May 2020 and April saw record low temperatures in the thirty-year observation period of meteorological data.
– a representative told Stopkorkom.
According to him, this clearly shows that the main cause of nitrogen dioxide pollution is global warming.
We compared July with October and it is clear that the colder and rainier it is, the higher the concentration of nitrogen dioxide in, for example, the Warsaw agglomeration.
– added.
For example, as for the whole of Europe, in July the whole of Poland is clean, and in Europe there are only four places where nitrogen dioxide pollution can be seen in the air. The highest concentration is above cycling Amsterdam, the second highest is the Ruhr area, the third is London, which has had SCT for several years, and the area around Milan
– he said.
He emphasized that the situation naturally worsens in winter.
But we still have lower concentrations than in Germany, which has introduced SCT, even though the country is now withdrawing it
– added.
This proves that nitrogen dioxide pollution has nothing to do with car traffic, especially passenger cars. This is important because activists refer to the Central Bureau of Statistics’ research on transport, but do not pay attention to the fact that it concerns all road transport, that is, trucks, lorries and tractors. These are machines that often do not meet standards, especially because the machines in Poland are quite old
– he assessed.
““It’s like asking the fox to set the rules and regulations in the hen house.”
He emphasized that it is symptomatic that the research on which the local government of Warsaw, among other things, relied when drafting the resolution on SCT, was sponsored by one of the associations.
This is an organization that has lobbied for the removal of LPG from the law that, among other things, introduces the SCT. Although LPG is considered a clean fuel in most Western countries
– added.
It’s like asking a fox to establish relationships and laws in the henhouse
– he noted.
As Skwierawski stated, it is known that the association sponsoring the research is interested in selling electric cars powered by hydrogen and natural gas, and strangely enough, only these fuels are included in the law, because powered vehicles can be used in clean transportation. zones indefinitely and unconditionally.
I also encourage you to independently monitor air pollution in Warsaw. We have a very dense network of sensors, much denser than in Germany and many Western countries, but thanks to this we can monitor very precisely how pollution is distributed across our city
– he said.
And what we see – it is enough that the heating season begins, and in the city center – practically the area proposed for the creation of SCT – it is usually much cleaner than the districts and municipalities around Warsaw. Which again points to the culprit of all pollution: the stoves that people use to heat themselves
– he noted.
He emphasized that the economic aspect was not addressed in the studies on the introduction of SCT.
Not only is this zone designed outrageously, but there is nothing to justify such wide boundaries of this zone. Especially since this includes Wisłostrada, for example, which is a main road, but also a road that residents use to transact important matters in the center. So even if someone does not live in SCT, he will have no choice but to drive through his city via the ring road.
– he assessed.
Such a large area also forces those who run a business for the benefit of the residents of the SCT to spend a lot of money on purchasing a car that can serve them for a long time, that is, with the minimum standard. Euro 6. We are also talking about large entrepreneurs – those who manage construction sites, supply prefabricated elements, through suppliers of larger items such as a refrigerator, washing machine, TV, suppliers of ordinary products to shops that we use every day, ending with ladies with flowers or vegetables on the bazaar.
– he said.
He noted that the entrepreneur faces a choice: either stop operating and move elsewhere, change the industry, or adapt by spending a lot of money on compliant vehicles.
It is known that the costs are passed on to the end user
– added.
Skwierawski gave a specific example of an older lady who reported to Stopkorkom. This case concerns a paid parking zone, but the principle is the same. The senior lives within the boundaries of SPPN and would like to renovate her bathroom. It turned out that he had difficulty finding a tiler. Several dozen people refused to do so, explaining that they had to pay fees in the zone, as well as the need to take equipment and materials with them if they parked outside the zone.
With SCT it would be the same. Small tradesmen often come in older cars, if only because they have building materials or tools with them and do not want to destroy their new car. When they are forced to buy a newer car, they will want to compensate or offer these services, for example in Ożarów, where this zone is not introduced
– he assessed.
He emphasized that the introduction of SCT will affect all SCT residents, including people who have never had a driver’s license and, for example, only travel by public transport or bicycle.
They pay for it in the store or when repairing the refrigerator
– he explained.
Another point is the consultations carried out, which support City Hall. Yes, they were executed, but there was little information about them. Several dozen people came. Apparently 3,000 responses were emailed. There is no way to verify whether they are actually residents of Warsaw, for example
– he noted.
To make such an argument is ridiculous. Furthermore, these consultations were carried out according to the project, where the scope of the zone was twice as small
– he emphasized.
He noted that fortunately there was no motion to introduce SCT at Thursday’s Warsaw Council meeting. Apart from what – as he said – is a scandal, it was presented three days earlier.
Until now nothing was known about him. We also do not know when this resolution will be put to the vote, because it has not been expressed anywhere
– he explained.
An interesting fact is that the law states that municipalities may introduce SCT, but this is not necessary. The European Commission has not denied this provision, which means that the EU is not forcing us to introduce SCT
– he emphasized.
He recalled that such zones in European cities are much smaller, that they apply strictly to the center and that you can occasionally purchase access to the zone.
We were not offered this option
– added.
According to the new project, SCT will cover more than twice the area: the entire districts of Śródmieście, Żoliborz and Praga Północ, almost the entire Ochota (part of the Reduta shopping center and ul. Mszczonówcka and Dworzec Zachodni will remain outside the SCT). ) and Praga Południe (Olszynka Grochowska remains outside the SCT: an uninhabited area PKP and the nature reserve), most of Mokotów (Sadyba, Stegny, Augustówka and part of Służewiec remains outside the SCT), about half of Wola (up to al Prymasa Tysiąclecia).
tkwl/PAP
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Source: wPolityce