At the end of last month, the introduction of the strictest environmental zone in the Netherlands seemed to be a fact. From 2019 onwards, Arnhem would no longer allow diesel cars from before 2004 to enter the defined zone within the Gelderland capital. The city council in Arnhem, however, has put a stop to the intention. She first wants to see to what extent the introduction of an Arnhem environmental zone has a positive effect on air quality.
With the restriction for diesel cars in the aforementioned category, 800 cars would disappear from the Arnhem street scene. A calculation led to an almost unlikely result, that a decrease in fine dust generation (10%) and soot emissions (17,5%). Remarkably, it was reported that the presence of diesels prior to 2004 would cause an earlier death of civilians in the city, but that argument was not made at a slightly later stage when the admission of commercial vehicles with a diesel engine was not limited. "We do not want to interfere in the business operations of entrepreneurs," was the political reaction in the Gelderland capital in October.
"National and European policy"
The Arnhem city council now initiated an action that would make the expansion of the Arnhem environmental zone less self-evident than originally announced. “In addition to the fact that the effect of the introduction has not been proven at all, there is also more than half a million euros involved in the expansion. In addition, we want to take national or European policy into account. "
KNAC: "Avoid patchwork of zones"
So for the time being the extension has been put in the refrigerator. That is good news in relation to the national intention to arrive at a uniform policy, although no environmental zones have yet been demonstrated. KNAC foreman Peter Staal also responded with enthusiasm. “Nowhere has it been demonstrated that environmental zones are effective. In any case, the step in Arnhem is one in the right direction. We must prevent that we are given a patchwork of measures. And if those responsible still want to stick to the introduction of an environmental zone, then it is good to introduce a national system, such as in Germany.