Immediately after the red-green administration took office in Stockholm following the 2022 election, they declared war on the capital’s motorists and made it clear that those who don’t buy electric cars would find it increasingly difficult with higher fees and fewer parking spaces. Now comes the next step as yet another popular parking area is being removed.

At the 3,000 square meter parking lot on Strandvägen’s quay, there are a hundred parking spaces that are heavily used. For the past two summers, it has been closed off, but only temporarily—this year, however, the closure will be permanent to make room for benches, plants, and art in what is called a recreational area.

In the City of Stockholm’s budget for 2024, the Traffic Committee was tasked with investigating how Strandvägen’s quay could be made car-free by summer 2024. In addition, the administration had the goal of removing all parking spaces on Strandvägen during the term of office.

ALSO READ: How Stockholm’s Red-Green Government Plans to Punish Gas Drivers

During the summer of 2024, when cars were absent, the Traffic Office conducted a “recreational usage measurement” which showed that the place “is used by a large mix of people, representing different age groups and genders.”

On March 12, the Traffic Committee decided on what is called an implementation decision. In the official report, it states that “Strandvägen’s quay is one of Stockholm’s most visited and appreciated environments, but its current use as a parking area creates a clear barrier between the pedestrian walkway, greenery, and the water,” and that the city has “investigated how the quay can be made car-free and transformed into an attractive recreational space.”

ALSO READ: Red-Green War on Motorists: 210 Meters of Bike Lane for 46 Million

The proposed design intends to “enhance the current pedestrian path and offer a calmer zone in an otherwise busy area with outdoor cafés, kiosks, and boating activity.”

Nine Million

At the same time, it is noted that such a change is expected to increase operating costs for things like planting, cleaning, winter road maintenance, as well as a loss of parking revenue, and is expected to cost taxpayers nine million kronor.

“This is a highly appreciated place and we want to help more people take advantage of it. We know that many want to be able to sit by the quay, even without buying something. This will also connect the quay to the avenue in a better way,” says Transport Commissioner Lars Strömgren (Green Party) to Mitt i.

The opposition, led by the Moderates, is partly critical.

“We have long thought that Strandvägen needs to be developed into a more attractive location, and it is reasonable to use this space in a different way. But the parking spaces that disappear should be replaced in the local area, and this should have been investigated before moving forward with this proposal,” says Dennis Wedin (Moderate Party), opposition city commissioner.

ALSO READ: Green Party Halts Cruising in Stockholm