In the national road maintenance plan, zero euros are earmarked for the measure of reconstruction of traffic-dangerous places both next year and the year after. Such a decision was made under the leadership of the Reform Party government.
Reformist Pärtel-Peeter Pere celebrates Children’s Day by blaming the Tallinn city government for all traffic deaths of children. Politics could have some limits. Should we then blame the mayor of Tartu, Urmas Klaas, for all traffic accidents in Tartu? Including the one where less than a month ago a stroller was run over in a crosswalk and a child died? Let’s stay reasonable.
However, both the Pärtel-Peeter Family and the Reform Party could actually support the establishment of a safe traffic infrastructure and sustainable movement. Unfortunately, the steps are reversed here. In the national road maintenance plan, zero euros are earmarked for the measure of reconstruction of traffic-dangerous places both next year and the year after. These numbers were adopted under the leadership of the Reform Party government. Also, compared to the past, the sums provided for road maintenance as a whole have been significantly reduced, including those that could be used to build four-lane roads and separate the driving directions with a barrier for safety reasons.
The Haapsalu railway, a public transport project that would make it possible to reduce car use, was put on hold by the Reform Party a little less than a year ago, because it was removed from the list of projects submitted to the European Union under the leadership of Kaja Kallas. The Reform Party plans to change the principles of municipal financing. With this, Tallinn would get 4.5 million euros less per year compared to now. It is very difficult for Pärtel-Peeter Pere and the Reform Party to say that he really cares about his voters in Tallinn if he does not oppose these cuts.
Tallinn receives relatively less money
The family is worried about Tallinn’s bicycle infrastructure. When Climate Minister Kristen Michal announced this week how the European Union’s money will be distributed for the development of bicycle infrastructure, it turned out that Tallinn will receive the same amount as Pärnu, which has a population nine times smaller than its own. Narva, which is bigger than Pärnu, gets nothing at all. This is also a sign of attitude. In the explanatory letter of the regulation itself, it was stated that bicycle paths must still be built where there are more people, usability is greater and the effect is more noticeable.
At the same time, Pere has said that development of the cycling infrastructure is needed in Tallinn, and everything is very good in Tartu. If more needs to be done in Tallinn, the money could be directed here.
Finally, a more personal note. The family has repeatedly attacked motoring and motorists, while proudly bearing the title of the cycling mayor of Tallinn. However, he asked the council for the right to free parking. Consequently, there is hypocrisy in this bicycle story.
