Opponents of the Clean Transport Zone are demanding a referendum. They are collecting signatures for an application to the Warsaw authorities – Paweł Skwierawski told PAP about the Stopkorkom initiative.
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On Thursday, the Warsaw Council, with the votes of KO council members, adopted a resolution on the Clean Transport Zone (SCT), which will restrict car traffic in the capital from July 2024.
We are against the decision of the Warsaw Council to introduce SCT. If it was introduced by the Warsaw Council, it can also be abolished by the Council
– said Skwierawski.
He announced that Stopkorkom plans to collect at least several tens of thousands of signatures to request a referendum.
We want to make it clear that the authorities’ rejection of him is an expression of their arrogance
– he announced.
He explained that “if for some reason, for example obtaining EU funds, it is necessary to introduce SCT”, then this should be limited only to the administrative area of the Old City, and that the decision to introduce this must be preceded by a referendum.
According to the Stopkorkom initiative, SCT is not effective in improving air quality in Warsaw. He recalled that tests carried out during the lockdown showed that dust levels were the same as in the previous two years. Carbon monoxide levels were also at the same level; only an 8% decrease in nitrogen dioxide pollution was observed. The main cause of nitrogen dioxide pollution is global warming.
According to Stopkorkom, the Clean Transport Zone poses a real threat to the health of residents.
There are 11 public hospitals in the zone, including facilities active in the field of transplantation. Patients who have undergone a transplant or are undergoing oncology treatment and do not have a car to get around SCT will have difficulty reaching doctor appointments and treatments. For them, even a taxi ride can be dangerous, because they cannot demand that the driver disinfect the car before the ride.
– said Skwierawski.
Clean transport zone in Warsaw
On Thursday, the Warsaw Council, with the votes of KO council members, adopted a resolution on the Clean Transport Zone, which will restrict car traffic in the capital from July 2024. There were 37 council members in favor, 16 against, and two people abstained.
The zone will cover the entire Śródmieście and parts of Wola, Ochota, Praga Północ and Praga Południe.
By the end of 2027, not only residents of the zone will be exempted from the rules applicable in SCT, but also all people who pay taxes and are registered in the capital. The SCT rules will only apply to them from January 2028 – then they will no longer be allowed to drive in the zone with a diesel vehicle older than 13 years and a petrol vehicle older than 22 years. For companies, corporate tax and the registered office of the company are taken into account.
From July 2024, other people will no longer be allowed to drive through the zone in a diesel vehicle over 18 years old or a petrol vehicle over 27 years old.
kk/PAP
Source: wPolityce