Iggingen defends itself against traffic noise: Is the 30 km/h zone coming?

Iggingen defends itself against traffic noise: Is the 30 km/h zone coming?

In Iggingen, the constant traffic noise is causing dissatisfaction among residents. Joachim Sailer, who has lived on the thoroughfare for a year, describes how heavy the traffic is from 6 a.m. to just before midnight. “The noise, especially from trucks, is unbearable,” he says. He is particularly bothered by the empty trucks that make noise over manhole covers and uneven paving stones. Many trucks use this route to get from the B29 towards Leinzell, Göggingen or Lindach. The voice of the residents is getting louder; Sailer calls for traffic calming, preferably by introducing one 30 km/h zone, as it already exists in the neighboring town of Leinzell.

However, Mayor Tobias Feldmeyer believes such a measure is not feasible. According to him, the district office sees no need for action on a speed limit based on noise measurements and traffic counts. “The speeds are within the applicable maximum speed,” says Feldmeyer. In fact, no further traffic law measures have been ordered so far, although the possibility of reducing noise is being examined. A noise report, the results of which should be available at the beginning of 2024, could perhaps open up new perspectives. So far, the measured values ​​have not been sufficient to justify a speed limit.

The facts behind the 30 km/h zones

The introduction of 30 km/h zones is no longer a secret in Germany. They are not only intended to calm traffic, but also increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists. These zones are mainly found in residential areas and are regulated in accordance with Section 45 Paragraph 1c of the Road Traffic Act (StVO). As is well known, the beginning of a 30 km/h zone is marked by traffic sign 274.1, while the end is signaled with a gray-backed, crossed-out variant 274.2. Parking is subject to the same regulations as on other streets, and structural measures to reduce speed are possible in a variety of ways.

In addition, 30 km/h zones aim to increase the quality of life in affected areas. Lower noise emissions and fewer exhaust gases make a significant contribution to this. Such a zone can primarily ensure that residents in Iggingen can sleep more peacefully again, while walks through the neighborhood are less stressful.

A possible route to the 30 km/h zone in Iggingen

However, Joachim Sailer also sees a lack of political will to implement traffic calming measures in his village. “It seems as if there is little interest in improving the situation,” he says, and is now thinking about setting up a citizens’ initiative. He wants to find out why such a speed limit could be introduced in Leinzell while the Iggingers are ignored by the good air of traffic planning.

It remains to be seen whether the intensive traffic in Iggingen will soon be a thing of the past or whether the residents will continue to suffer from the noise. However, one thing is certain: the demand for a better quality of life is becoming louder and louder in the community. We can only hope that the voices of citizens are heard in transport planning.