CDU stops new neighborhood blocks: Chaos on Berlin's streets threaten!

CDU stops new neighborhood blocks: Chaos on Berlin's streets threaten!

Neukölln, Deutschland - The Berlin CDU announced a U -turn in its transport policy on April 6th. Group leader Dirk Stettner said that the party would no longer vote for the creation of new neighborhood blocks and the installation of bollards in residential areas without through traffic. This could have far -reaching consequences for the planned traffic calming measures in the capital, which aim to increase traffic safety and the quality of life of the residents. According to the Berliner Zeitung, a closed no from the CDU could block further bollard plans.

With around 1.2 million approved cars, Berlin is one of the cities with a high vehicle density. This has a negative impact on traffic safety, especially for pedestrians and cyclists. In recent years, measures to improve traffic safety have been taken, including the installation of bollards, which are intended to calm traffic and increase security. But both drivers as well as residents and rescue workers criticize these bollards because they make access to locations difficult and extend the operations times, which Stettner also emphasized in his explanation.

The relevance of the neighborhood blocks

neighborhood blocks. It is planned to create up to 12 new neighborhood blocks in Berlin-Mitte by spring 2026, which are intended to block certain roads for through traffic. This is done with the aim of reducing car through traffic in the neighborhoods and strengthening the positive effects of pedestrian traffic. According to the project information, the Kiezblocks could increase traffic safety for the majority of the population, since 87 % of the people in the district use various forms of the environmentally friendly "environmental association" (foot, bike and public transport).

Current use of transport shows that 34 % of the paths are covered on foot, 32 % by public transport, 22 % by bike and only 13 % by car. This data illustrates that walking is considered the most important means of transport, especially for weaker road users such as children, older people and people with limited mobility. The flow of traffic is to be improved by creating safe and simple ways for pedestrians and cyclists, while at the same time noise and pollutant emissions are to be reduced, as on the website of Kiezblocks for Mitte mentioned.

The CDU is currently the strongest faction in the Berlin House of Representatives, and its decision could have a significant impact on the implementation of the neighborhood blocks and the planned environmental and traffic calming measures. Dirk Stettner described the plans as "simply wrong" and fear that the measures will hinder the rescue workers and the flow of traffic, which should not be unnoticed in the broader discussion about traffic design in Berlin.