Umeå municipality's struggle for better air in central Umeå has been long.
Even though passenger car traffic has decreased over the past six years, heavy traffic through the city continues to increase.
According to the municipality's statistics, more than 27,000 more trucks now pass by with and without trailers per year compared with 2016.
- It is positive that total traffic is reduced, it provides conditions for less air pollution and less noise.
Then it is the case that the heavy traffic has increased slightly, says Marie Frostvinge, traffic planning manager in Umeå municipality.
And it is the heavy traffic that pollutes the air the most.
During the month of October, seven days with high levels of nitric oxide were registered in central Umeå.
Concentrations that exceed the standard for good air quality.
But what lies behind the continued increase in heavy traffic is uncertain.
Parcel deliveries can be the reason
- It is difficult to say the reasons, but a fairly qualified guess is the increased internet shopping.
We see that this has increased, especially during the pandemic, and this means that there will be more transport on the roads.
A large part of the heavy traffic that passes through Umeå turns off towards Västerslätt.
The hope is that the Western Link across the river, when completed, will reduce that pressure.
Once the link is open, the municipality also plans to try to regulate traffic towards Västerslätt from the old E4.
- It is about realizing the urban development program by rebuilding the old E4 to a more urban street.
Then the idea is to reduce the possibility of car traffic in favor of the sustainable modes of transport, says Marie Frostvinge, who guesses that this work may start in the spring of 2023.