An extended ban on cars, trucks
and even scooters in more streets in Rome's historic centre took
effect Monday morning, with police on patrol in the area to
prevent traffic in the "the living room of Rome".
But they won't immediately assess the 80-euro fine for
breaching the ban in the area of the three major 'Trident' zone
streets stretching out from Piazza del Popolo: Via di Ripetta,
Via del Corso, and Via del Babuino.
Residents will have some time to adjust to the ban, which
began Monday at 6:30 a.m. local time, extends weekdays from that
hour until 7 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. local
time.
Rome's city officials in a statement called Piazza del
Popolo "the living room" of the city which should be made more
"livable" for residents and visitors by reducing traffic.
"Rome is enriched by an important area of multiple
vocations: historical, cultural and commercial center," said the
statement on the municipal website.
"Starting from Piazza del Popolo - the 'living room of
Rome' - the three streets that fan out: Babuino, Corso, and
Ripetta, and all adjacent streets, with the entry into force of
the (pedestrian zone), create new livability for area residents,
for citizens, and tourists," it added.
Citizens, some of who are already protesting, can comment
on the ban at a meeting Wednesday.
"We cannot figure out where to park," said one exasperated
driver in a Smart car Monday morning.
More parking spots are to be provided for non-residents of
the area outside the zone, with prices ranging up to 150 euros
per month, or 15 euros per day - rates that some say are
exorbitant.
Scooter drivers protested Sunday at Piazza Augusto
Imperatore, near the Ara Pacis, while other drivers said they
don't know how they will get to work, since they cannot afford
monthly parking fees in a city where many parking spots are
free.
The permanent ban extends a pedestrian zone put in place in
August affecting about 15 small streets around Rome's popular
Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna, a move which tourists have
hailed as "wonderful" and "marvelous".
Said one tourist: "In Rome, which is an open-air museum, it
should not be otherwise".
Public transportation will still be permitted in the new
pedestrian zone.
The city of Rome, on its official website, has previously
said that closing the area to vehicles will help to restore the
image of the area to that shown in the popular 1953 film 'Roman
Holiday', starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.
Parts of the film were shot around the Spanish Steps.
The latest move comes after Rome's city council agreed last
year to strict limits on traffic along the Via dei Fori
Imperiali, connecting the iconic Colosseum with Piazza Venezia
and running through the Roman Forum.
That also caused protest and controversy but Mayor Ignazio
Marino, an avid cyclist, has pressed ahead with plans to ban
cars in additional parts of the historic centre.
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