The Provincial Board (Länsstyrelsen) has annulled the resolution passed by Stockholm City Council to establish a class 3 low-emission zone in the heart of the Swedish capital. The measure, which would have banned petrol and diesel-engine vehicles from central Stockholm, had sparked intense debate among residents, business owners and policymakers since it was first proposed.
The so-called miljözon klass 3 was one of the most ambitious and controversial environmental initiatives put forward by Stockholm’s municipal authorities, with the stated aim of improving air quality in the city’s most densely populated areas. However, the Provincial Board’s ruling blocks its implementation, finding that the council’s decision did not meet the legal requirements necessary for it to be enacted.
The ruling represents a significant setback for those who championed the measure as a necessary step toward more sustainable urban mobility, while its opponents — including many private motorists and representatives of the transport sector — are welcoming the decision as a victory for freedom of movement and the local economy.
Original source: SVT Nyheter