Despite the fact that the Utrecht District Court has ruled that the environmental zone in the center of that city has little effect and the decision-making surrounding it is rattling, the zone will remain intact for the time being. Reason for the KNAC to think about next steps.
"It was indeed a special statement that we received on our desk on 22 January", says director Peter Staal. “The Court shared many of our objections, but ultimately saw no reason to reverse this Utrecht phenomenon. A pity of course. I am nevertheless positive, because the Court actually reports that the environmental zone does indeed only have a marginal effect on air quality in the city center and that its creation did not exactly deserve a beauty prize. This is in line with our opinion that carelessness was also taken in that phase, resulting in many thousands of unjustified fines as a result.
Friends clubs
The possible follow-up steps that the KNAC will take are now being considered. Peter Staal: “What we have to do now is take a good look at the matter with our supporters and the affiliated Friends Clubs, together good for such 50.000 enthusiasts of classic and new cars. We do this for them. But because of all the arguments that have now been confirmed by the Court, a move to the Council of State is obvious. I mean: we were declared admissible by the Court as KNAC, our appeal was declared well-founded, the contested decision of the municipality of Utrecht was annulled by the Court, but the legal consequences thereof, the environmental zone, remained intact. Remarkable".
Long road
When the KNAC started opposing the environmental zone, it was already clear that there would be a long way to go. Peter Staal: “That's right. But it is necessary, because you now see a jumble of rules in the various municipalities, while such an environmental zone also makes little sense. But we have achieved good results since then. First there was already the motion from VVD MP Barbara Visser not to extend the 'Milieuzone' sign for trucks to passenger cars and now there is the Court's statement that our objections are justified. ”The KNAC sees new developments in those developments. starting points. "It opens up perspectives".