Prague's historic center to ban car traffic at night from Wednesday

The Prague 1 district is moving ahead with a plan to ban nighttime car entry into the area around Dlouhá Street despite continued opposition from the city’s mayor.

The nighttime entry ban will go into effect Wednesday, Prague 1 Mayor Terezie Radoměřská announced. The measure aims to reduce noise complaints from residents in the historic city center district.

"The measures aim to reduce noise during the night hours, which residents of this residential area have been complaining about for a long time,” Radoměřská said in a press release. However, Prague Mayor Bohuslav Svoboda opposes the district’s unilateral action, Czech Radio reports.

“We perceive the needs of each part of Prague, but at the same time, we have in mind the functionality of the metropolis as a whole,” Svoboda said. “So these separate actions can hardly have our support.”

Prague 1 had previously implemented a nighttime traffic ban in the Old Town area last November, but the city’s transportation department quickly canceled it after Svoboda criticized the district for not consulting with the city leadership.

Prague 1 councilor for transport Vojtěch Ryvola said the new proposal has been "properly discussed" this time, with several consultations held with the city’s transportation department, mayor’s office, and surrounding districts.

The new decree prohibits entry into the Old Town area around Dlouhá Street between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. Traffic signs will be changed on Králodvorská, Dlouhá, Soukenická, Kozí, Pařížská, Břehová, Revoluční, Dvořákovo nábřeží and 17. listopadu. The ban applies to all motor vehicles, except traffic attendants.

“The new proposal is almost identical but properly discussed," Ryvola said, noting the only change is the addition of a sign on Rybná Street.

However, the city’s stance remains skeptical. Spokesperson Vít Hofman said the city “does not have more detailed information” on the district’s plans, while Svoboda reiterated his opposition.

“The capital is a complex [it] requires action, consistency, and balance,” Svoboda said in a text message. “In other words, what has been valid until now is valid.”

The situation mirrors last year’s conflict when the city ultimately canceled Prague 1’s traffic restrictions due to formal deficiencies. Some opposition representatives believe the district’s plan could be beneficial if coordinated adequately with city leadership.

“It can certainly be beneficial for improving the quality of life of the locals,” said Ondřej Prokop, head of the ANO party in Prague. However, he questioned how “significant the decree's impact will be for noise regulation.”

Adam Scheinherr, a former deputy mayor for transport, said the city coalition had not offered any “conceptual solution” for traffic in the historic center, leaving Prague 1 to act independently.

“We understand the frustration of the residents of Prague 1,” Scheinherr said. “It’s a pity that the municipal coalition is not looking for a systemic solution for transport in the center because there are disputes within the coalition.”