The controversial
Weesperknip, where the Weesperstraat was
closed off to motorized traffic in Amsterdam during the daytime, will not be a permanent feature in the city center.
Detour routes via Kattenburgstraat were jammed up with a 40 percent increase in traffic. The cut led to an average increased travel time of three minutes, which increased to eight minutes during busier times.
The quality of life on the diversion routes actually deteriorated. Residents suffered from inaccessibility, noise and stench.
A survey among 4,377 road users showed that 74 percent were dissatisfied with the pilot. These were mainly car users, taxi drivers and entrepreneurs. Pedestrians and cyclists were often satisfied with the test.
First responders and emergency services sometimes also suffered from the Weesperknip, such as when the barriers did not open for them automatically. Traffic controllers then had to get involved to open the barriers. During the test, ambulances were delayed by an average of 15 seconds, firefighters by 35 seconds, Van der Horst claimed.