Stockholm plans traffic restrictions and new park for Gamla stan

The Stockholm city government has unveiled plans to restrict through-traffic in the Gamla stan district and establish a new blue-green park by Riddarfjärden. Following the June 2024 opening of a city environmental zone in the area, officials report that pedestrian activity has tripled while car traffic has halved.

The proposed changes aim to prioritize public transport, cyclists, and pedestrians. While residents, visitors, deliveries, taxis, and paratransit will still have vehicle access, only public transport will be permitted to drive through the district. The plan involves removing parking spaces along Skeppsbron starting in 2027 and implementing the through-traffic ban before the Slussbron connection opens, estimated for 2028 or 2029.

However, the proposal faces criticism from business advocacy groups. Företagarna argues that the environmental zone and potential bans on plug-in hybrids constitute symbolic politics that threaten small businesses. They contend that sudden regulatory changes could render recent investments in hybrid vehicles useless and hinder essential services, such as plumbers and technicians, from accessing the inner city.