Court prohibits Berlin Senate from blocking Friedrichstrasse for cars

The blocking of Friedrichstrasse in Berlin for cars is illegal according to a court decision. Such a road closure by the Senate is only possible for security reasons, but this requirement does not exist, the Berlin Administrative Court decided, as announced on Tuesday. In an urgent decision, the court agreed with the owner of a shop in Friedrichstrasse, who had sued.

The Senate Transport Administration, led by Bettina Jarasch (Greens), cited the better quality of stay in Friedrichstrasse as a commercial street for their decision. According to the court, there is no legal basis for this in the road traffic regulations.

The decision is not yet final. The Senate can take action before the Higher Administrative Court. If the decision becomes final, the Senate must open Friedrichstrasse to cars again within two weeks.

However, the senate administration has also submitted an application to the Mitte district office for a so-called change in the dedication as a public road that is also open to car traffic. That would mean that the disputed stretch of road is no longer a public highway. This would result in a completely new legal situation.

The traffic test to the "Friedrichstrasse promenade" began in August 2020. Since then, cars have been taboo on a 500-meter-long section with many shops. The experiment cost more than 200,000 euros.

However, the hoped-for upswing for the formerly fashionable shopping street, which at times overtook the Ku'damm but later had increasing problems, has not materialized so far.