After the argument about the Wall and Martinistraße, the next major conflict is looming over the planned demolition of streets in the city center. This time it’s the Mayor-Smidt-Strasse. The Chamber of Commerce demanded on Thursday that an urban planning concept must first be submitted before lanes can be removed. An analysis of the performance of the road is also mandatory. The Chamber is not fundamentally opposed to the dismantling, but does not want a rush job. For the Greens, on the other hand, as part of the governing coalition, it is already out of the question that Mayor-Smidt-Strasse must be reduced as a traffic space for cars.
In its communication, the chamber emphasizes the feeder function of the traffic axis between Breitenweg and the Burgermeister-Smidt-bridge. Against the background of the plans to accommodate part of the university on the former savings bank premises on the Brill, it is necessary to act on the site not only in terms of transport policy. A larger framework is needed. In detail, it is noted that the Burgermeister-Smidt-Strasse plays a subordinate role as a bicycle connection. So this justification for a dismantling does not work. The chamber is also skeptical because of the arrival and departure of the car park on the Brill, it would complicate things. This scenario would have a deterrent effect on visitors to the inner city from further afield.
The Chamber of Commerce is more accommodating when it continues on Mayor-Smidt-Strasse over the bridge into Langemarckstrasse. There is nothing wrong with removing two lanes of traffic on this route, since Langemarckstraße has lost much of its importance as a downtown access after its massive renovation around 20 years ago.
Mayor-Smidt-Straße is part of the traffic development plan (VEP) from 2014, which is currently being updated. According to a decision by the Senate in November 2019, the plan is to be continued until 2030. The project advisory board of the VEP, to which the Chamber of Commerce also belongs, is decisive in the consultations. However, the Advisory Board has not met for a long time. The Chamber therefore fears, quite literally, that decisions will be made behind closed doors. Although the VEP sees a redesign of the Mayor-Smidt-Strasse, this does not necessarily mean that it will be demolished.
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