Cars are practically banned from this inner district of Budapest

There will be significant restrictions on through traffic for non-residents, said Péter Niedermüller, mayor of Erzsébetváros, Budapest’s 7th district. Kázmér Kovács, chairman of the legal committee of the Hungarian Automobile Club, said the traffic calming as an objective is commendable, but moderation would be justified.

According to Péter Niedermüller, the traffic calming project has been underway for almost two years. During this time, the municipality, in cooperation several expert bodies, has developed a new traffic regime. It is one that limits the through traffic in Inner-Erzsébetváros in significant amounts. At the same time, it “pleases” local residents and makes driving easier, Infostart reports.

The new traffic regime

The mayor stressed that the traffic regime will be in force from the second of January. It will have two main elements. First, the through traffic of cars driven by non-residents will be reduced even further. Secondly, so-called drive-through points will be set up where residents who have parking permits can drive through. “The result will be that car traffic will continue to decrease, while residents will have more parking options,” said Mr Niedermüller.

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Where?

The traffic calming will essentially affect the entire Inner-Erzsébetváros. That is, the area between Nagykörút (Great Boulevard) and Károly Boulevard (Kiskörút, Small Boulevard), and between Király Street and Rákóczi Street. The mayor noted that traffic will be restricted mainly on the three busy streets here. This means the through traffic of Dohány, Dob and Wesselényi streets.

“The traffic regulation, which will come into force from the second of January, will give residents the opportunity to find their way home by short journeys. It will not be the same for them as for those driving through,” Mr Niedermüller added.

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No speed reduction just yet

Péter Niedermüller, in response to a question from Infostart, confirmed that there is currently no question of speed reduction. However, the capital is keeping the issue on the agenda to establish 30 km/h zones throughout Budapest. According to the mayor, the vast majority of residents in the 7th district welcome the traffic calming, as it will make the streets safer and cleaner, and children, people with young children and the elderly can get around more safely.

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Source: Infostart