Västerås municipality has decided to turn Vasagatan into a pedestrian zone again this summer and for ten more summers until 2035. The decision was made during a meeting of the municipal council. The adjacent streets Hantverkargatan and Smedjegatan will also be included in the project.
The project, which has been tested for two summers, aims to increase livability and create a more vibrant city center. Evaluations show that the summer pedestrian zone has been appreciated by residents, but opinions are divided among business owners who worry about reduced turnover due to decreased accessibility and difficulties with goods transport. The biggest challenge is the reduced accessibility when public transport and goods transport are rerouted, and bicycle traffic will also be closed off.
The technical committee has been tasked with finding suitable solutions.