The faction of the left-wing green party GroenLinks in the Groningen municipal council has called for a closure in the nearest future of all parking garages in the city center, the Groninger Internet Courant reports.
The car-free center plan stems from the party’s wish to reduce congestion in downtown Groningen. The liveability of the city suffers from the heavy traffic, the party representatives say.
GroenLinks argues for the scrapping of the parking spaces at the Pathé cinema and Q-park Museum Centrum. The garage in Haddingestraat, which is owned by the municipality, is already slated for closure, according to municipal councillor Benni Leemhuis (GroenLinks). He believes, however, that the elimination of the Q-park Rademarkt is not necessary.
The closed garages could be converted into neighborhood parking facilities where residents can park their cars, Leemhuis says. The party is in favor of a possible parking garage at the Nieuwe Poort music center, near the railway station, if the two garages in the city center are closed.
