The affected districts are Hollerich, Limpertsberg and Merl, although the latter appears to be faring worse than the others. Residents in Merl report motorists driving the wrong way down one-way streets, causing dissatisfaction among the community. The council has taken their critiques on board and plans to react accordingly.
Among the amendments was a reduction to the speed limit from 50 km/h to 30 km/h, the inclusion of speed bumps, as well as a change in traffic flow. The residents themselves asked for the changes in an attempt to reduce the number of cars in residential streets.
Patrick Goldschmidt, municipal alderman for mobility, said:
“There could be drivers who exit the motorway from Belgium in Strassen, then maybe take Rue du Kiem or Route d’Arlon, then Rue des Aubépines, Rue de la Barrière, Merl roundabout, to get to the Cloche d’Or. But instead they have the option to exit at Hollerich, taking the motorway or going straight to the Cloche d’Or without driving through the neighbourhoods.”
Rue de la Barrière is particularly affected by heavy traffic, as thousands of cars use it as a through road 24 hours a day. But the changes have not necessarily led to an improvement in traffic. The council has asked local pensioners to count how many drivers are violating the Highway Code in the area, with over 250 infractions counted in one day, much to residents’ dissatisfaction.
“This morning a woman was crying because she said there is no quality of life anymore. And I have to effectively agree, at the moment there are double-load lorries driving down this small road, making lots of noise. And they’ve also removed a zebra crossing in one road which was used by schoolchildren to safely cross the street. There are lots of schools around here”, pensioner Mady Kerschen told RTL.
But it is not just cars having an issue with the new rules, as bin lorries and municipal buses are also experiencing problems adapting to the changes.
According to the Luxembourg City municipal council, the complaints have solely been submitted by Merl residents. The council said they would take the comments seriously and respond over the coming days.
“We agree the situation isn’t ideal, especially now it is the summer holidays so there are children on the roads, going to childcare facilities, Aktioun Bambësch has launched, or they are taking buses. So we have to re-analyse the situation and consult the residents, I think a lot of people in the area have thoughts on the matter. Even though we consulted them before the changes, I think we can achieve even more now that they have experienced it”, Patrick Goldschmidt said.
The pilot project is set to last six months. A next phase will see similar measures implemented in Bonnevoie, Belair, and the Gare district.
