Bollards at the Old Port: Decision against street noise is getting closer!

Bollards at the Old Port: Decision against street noise is getting closer!

A passionate topic is currently being addressed in Rathenow: reducing street noise at the Old Port. The traffic calming measures, in particular the planned installation of bollards, are the focus of the discussions. City politicians will make a final decision on the bollards on July 2nd after the municipal committee for urban development approved the proposal by a majority on June 17th, 2025. Maz online reports that the measure was launched in response to previously failed attempts to reduce noise and traffic. Conversations with residents and users made the need for changes clear.

But what does the introduction of bollards bring? The area is currently perceived as a trouble spot. Problems such as noise, dirt as well as drug and violent crime, especially among young people, pose a challenge. To counteract this, an alcohol ban will be debated in the regulatory committee on June 19th, which will then be discussed in the city council on July 2nd. This ban should be enshrined in law through a general decree.

Environmental and health aspects

Noise is not only a nuisance, but can also have serious health consequences. Tens of thousands of people are exposed to stressful noise levels every day that exceed those set by the World Health Organization specified limit values. According to a 2014 survey, over 50 percent of Germans feel disturbed by noise, especially from road traffic.

Long-term noise exposure promotes the release of stress hormones and can lead to sleep disorders, cardiovascular diseases and other health problems. The latest findings show that even moderate amounts of noise that are not considered acutely harmful have negative effects on our organism. The residents in Rathenow are particularly affected by these problems, which underlines the urgent need for effective noise reduction measures.

Comparison to other cities

Many Berliners also remember a similar struggle, where the citizens of Victoriastadt had a bollard erected to calm traffic, called “Polly”. But this bollard divided people's minds: The "Traffic Calming with a Sense of Measure" initiative wants an end to the traffic closure, while other residents report the positive effects. Berlin newspaper documents the ongoing dispute over bollards and the interest in further traffic calming measures, similar to the discussions in Rathenow.

So the discussion about bollards is not just local, but reflects a larger problem that affects many cities. Traffic remains the largest contributor to noise in urban areas and many cities are faced with the challenge of finding effective solutions. Rathenow's approach to noise reduction could be an important step in the right direction to improve the quality of life of residents and at the same time increase the attractiveness of the city.