Bremen Residents Protest Traffic Plan Over Concerns for Neighborhood Safety
The residents do not want their peaceful neighborhood life to be disrupted by traffic; they do not want Bremen to be split in two by long rows of cars, invaded by thousands of vehicles heading to the historic center of Sirmione. For this reason, local inhabitants have gathered around 260 signatures. A civil but passionate protest, driven by a concern that is already reality, since – even with more limited circulation – the area is already crossed by traffic, especially on holidays.
Description of the Bremen area
The Bremen zone extends between the main highway and the provincial road leading to the peninsula and thus to the historic center. A quiet area, close to the eponymous beach, frequently visited by vacationers. A small oasis of peace, at least until three years ago, when the new bypass and the roundabout before Colombare were opened.
The protests and residents’ accusations
The fears of the residents materialized into a petition, supported by a flood of signatures, collected and delivered to Mayor Maurizio Ferrari, the Civic Defender, and Legambiente di Broscia. The mobilization of the entire neighborhood population has begun, which looks with concern to the upcoming Traffic Plan, now at the final approval stage within the City Council.
According to the petitioners, this plan would disrupt the entire residential area without solving the peninsula’s traffic issues. As residents observe: “Viale Matteotti would be transformed into a major artery, along with other streets, leading to high traffic density in the heart of a residential neighborhood.
The project will bring no benefit — continue the signatories — to the urban area of via Colombare, and instead will lead to the degradation of the neighborhood, which is particularly happy with its location and environmental features, due to traffic jams, noise pollution, and exhaust emissions.
Not to mention the potential increase in road accidents affecting local residents.”
Alternative proposals and conclusions of the protest
According to the Bremen residents, “there are perhaps alternative solutions and routes: the creation of parking areas in the free zones behind the Todeschino industrial zone, with a shuttle service connecting to the historic center; then, circulation within Bremen and Colombare would be allowed only for residents and vacationers reaching hotels or their homes.”
In concluding their peaceful protest note, the citizens also remind the Municipal Administration “how many works (sidewalks, flowerbeds, etc.) have been built by the residents themselves in the absence of municipal intervention.”
The protest now erupting in Bremen recalls a similar firm stance taken in 1975 by residents of Colombare and, in part, the newly established Bremen neighborhood, who mobilized against the construction of the link between San Martino and Colombare (later completed and delivered three years ago), which led to the fall of then-Mayor Danilo Rossi.
Current situation and comparison with the past
What is happening now, after a quarter of a century? Practically the same. In fact, if the Traffic Plan project matches what Bremen residents envision, Viale Matteotti, via Salvo D’Acquisto, and via Bagner (the small street that reconnects to the provincial road toward Sirmione center and runs behind the sports field) would indeed be overwhelmed by chaotic traffic.
The problem is that everyone called for the construction of the highway between La Perla and Sirmione, but ultimately, the current heavy burden falls on the resident population of Bremen. And not only there. Because in Colombare, too, pollution has risen sharply in recent years.
Unfortunately, the asphalt ribbon of the bypass currently ends at Rovizza, meaning traffic is diverted onto Bremen without blame.
