Six vs. Central Bohemian Region. The dispute over traffic restrictions does not stop

The Central Bohemian Region does not like the proposed traffic restrictions, which wants to introduce Prague 6 on its territory. Central Bohemian Councilor for Public Transport Petr Borecký (STAN) even stated that Šestka has been blocking the construction of the expressway to Kladno and the tram line to Velké Přílepy for decades. However, the city district objected to this.

The dispute between Prague 6 and the Central Bohemian Region was started by the decision of the six-member town hall to introduce additional measures that should relieve congested roads and prioritize bus traffic. There should be the establishment and expansion of BUS lanes on Karlovarská, Jugoslávské partisanů, Evropská and Roztocká roads. In the future, the town hall is also considering the installation of light barriers and plans to increase the prices of visitor parking. We previously reported in more detail about the plans HERE.

The town hall first introduced its plans to the mayors of the surrounding municipalities, who described the planned changes as unpopular but understandable. However, the Central Bohemian Region expressed a different opinion. The councilors approved a resolution according to which the city district’s progress would complicate the situation for the people of Central Bohemia. According to them, the measure must be coordinated with the region.

Prague 6 is said to be blocking the construction of the ring road and the railway

“Thus, Prague 6 wants to prevent Central Bohemia from being overwhelmed with their cars every day… I would like to remind you that it is Prague 6 that has been blocking the construction of a high-speed railway connection to Kladno for decades, does not want a tram to the Výhledy terminal, or that another part of the city Suchdol has been blocking the completion of the north-western part of the Prague Ring Road for years,” Central Bohemian councilor for public transport Petr Borecký said in a post on Facebook.

“I regret that it is you who are against the introduction of measures supporting public transport travel. This is a big disappointment,” commented Ondřej Matěj Hrubeš (ODS), Prague 6 councilor for transport, on the post. The answer was the statement of Petr Borecký, who is said to be not against the introduction of measures supporting mass transport, but against unilateral uncoordinated steps.

“Today, we are practically unable to send more trains to the railway or more buses to the roads, because the physical capacity of the infrastructure is practically exhausted. The solution will not be simple, it will not be cheap and it will take years. But of course, such spectacular actions as Prague 6 wants to carry out will show the public that we, the politicians, are successfully solving the problem,” Borecký continued to comment on his post.

Disputes continue through official channels

Both politicians expressed themselves similarly in an official statement. Petr Borecký already accused Prague 6 of blocking construction in a press release of the Central Bohemian Region. According to Ondřej Matěj Hrubeš, this is nonsense.

“Prague 6 supports the construction of the modernization of the Prague – Kladno line on a long-term and continuous basis. The fact that participation with the public is taking place as part of the preparation of the project cannot be considered as blocking either. We thereby help the Railway Administration to obtain feedback and suggestions, which are often accepted, incorporated and move the project forward,” said Ondřej Matěj Hrubeš in a press release.

A mysterious project that the town hall did not know about

It is said that the town hall did not know about the tram line project in Velké Přílepy at all. “We have never heard of such a project in Prague 6, and surprisingly, the mayor of Velké Přílep hasn’t heard of it either. But based on a phone call with the Mayor, both Prague 6 and Velké Přílepy are in favor of a tram connection. We will both be happy if they introduce us to the “mysterious” project of the Central Bohemian Region,” the councilor added.

The long-term support for the modernization of the railway line from Prague to Kladno and the completion of the road ring around Prague is said to be continuously proven by the publicly searchable program statements of the district council and the resolutions of the council and the council. Šestka considers the unfinished northwestern part of the Prague ring road to be a key element in solving the persistent traffic problem.