From the middle of the year 2019 there will be driving restrictions in Darmstadt. Then agreed the German environmental aid (DUH) and the ecological transport club Germany (VCD) with the black-green state government. For the first time, the parties had settled in a dispute over diesel driving bans out of court.
The DUH had demanded for Darmstadt driving bans for older diesel, so that there the limits for nitric oxide of 40 micrograms per cubic meter of air are respected. According to the association, the city of South Hesse occupies third place on the list of German cities with high levels of nitric oxide pollution to Stuttgart and Munich.
The parties agreed with the state government on diesel driving bans for two roads in Darmstadt: the hill road on the City Tunnel and Heinrichstraße - an important arterial road - should be limited in traffic from 1 June 2019. Accordingly, the prohibitions apply to diesel vehicles up to Euronorm 5 and gasoline engines up to Euronorm 2. However, numerous exceptions have been agreed. At the same time, urban traffic is reduced by reducing lanes. Originally, the DUH had pleaded vehemently for a complete prohibition zone in Darmstadt.
Driving bans could be extended
In addition, Darmstadt must promote public transport, which is a binding part of the agreement. If the nitrogen oxide burden in the second half of 2019 does not fall below the EU limit as expected, the measures would be extended.
Overall, the DUH currently argues in court for driving bans in 29 cities. In the coming months it should become 34. For many municipalities, courts have already ordered driving bans.