The city administration appears surprised by how strongly residents oppose the Tempo 30 zone and the controversy it has sparked, according to Maciej Binkowski, deputy chair of the city’s infrastructure and investment committee.
PiS Councilman: We have asked the city and Mr. Trzaskowski to stop
The initial phase of consultations on introducing the Tempo 30 zone has concluded. The idea is attracting a mix of passionate supporters and vocal opponents.
The town hall seems taken aback by the scale of resistance and the uproar surrounding the Tempo 30 zone. One councilman noted that the opposition has been brewing for some time, arguing that the measure is ill-advised. He called on the city and Mr. Trzaskowski to halt the process, describing the topic as highly controversial and capable of triggering protests and dispute.
He added that an election period is approaching and that political considerations are likely to influence the dialogue.
“Jump to checkout?”
The council member recalled a prior episode in this administration when President Trzaskowski proposed a significant increase in the fee for perpetual usufruct, suggesting a swift move for funds. He says leadership of the Civic Platform urged withdrawing the plan, arguing that the election calendar would not tolerate such decisions. He suggested a similar dynamic could be unfolding in the Tempo 30 case, implying that the Civic Platform fears alienating Warsaw voters just before parliamentary elections.
Trzaskowski: For now, there is no decision on this matter
Asked about a decision on the Tempo 30 zone, the capital’s mayor, Rafał Trzaskowski, said district consultations would continue. The aim is for residents to understand exactly where such restrictions would apply, and at this stage no final decision has been reached. The process will continue, and once the consultation concludes, residents will be informed about any concrete steps.
The mayor noted that the plan focuses on smaller streets where neighborhoods themselves would set restrictions, not on city transit routes or major exit streets, where traffic patterns differ.
The PiS cabinet has issued commitments in the realm of urban policy, backed by government documents that outline recommendations to establish these safety zones. This trend is aligned with European practice. Yet Warsaw is taking the issue seriously and emphasizing resident consultation as a primary element of the process, the city’s leader stated.
Consultation about the introduction of the Tempo 30 zone
In the first phase, two online meetings were held on November 15 and 28 of the previous year. Additional consultation occurred at Intergenerational Activity Centers, where representatives from the Road Traffic Management Service addressed questions, listened to local opinions, and collected feedback. Residents could also submit comments via email concerning the Tempo 30 zone map.
A review published by the City Hall indicates the consultations drew modest interest among Varsovians. In total, 153 people attended the two online sessions, while a live YouTube broadcast drew 76 viewers who participated with comments and questions. The comment volume was substantial, with hundreds of messages exchanged during the sessions and hundreds of additional views for the archived broadcasts. At the conclusion of the public consultation, the broadcasts had been viewed and rewatched several hundred times.
Around 60 residents visited the consultation points, with six and 25 individuals providing written input at those locations. More than 1,100 responses were received via email as well.
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citation city hall report
Source: city hall records and local reporting