SVT Uppsala has read the first impact report after the controversial traffic ban on Kungsgatan, which came into force at the turn of the year.
At that time, passenger cars were no longer allowed to continue on Kungsgatan at the height of the town hall, but were forced to turn onto Vaksalagatan.
One of the arguments for the ban was that the air quality on Kungsgatan would be improved - but the report shows that it is only during January to May this year that it is worse than the whole of last year in total.
Worse than last year
During the spring - after the ban - 23 hours of nitrogen dioxide were measured on Kungsgatan, compared with 19 hours throughout 2021 at the same place.
However, the environmental quality standard for one year is 175 hours.
In the particle measurements, Kungsgatan has already exceeded the daily norm twelve times, compared to four times last year.
- It is difficult to draw any conclusions.
Excavation work and the pandemic affect.
We see that the traffic has changed, and it is the one that creates the air pollution, says Rickard Malmström (MP), municipal councilor and chairman of the street and community environment committee.
Criticism from residents
Due to the traffic ban on Kungsgatan, traffic has been moved to Vaksalagatan and Väderkvarnsgatan.
- I do not understand how you think, now it only gets worse here, says Susanna Frank who lives in the area.
In the clip, you see more about the situation on Kungsgatan and Fålhagen.