453 parking spaces in Cologne Weg - fire brigade access must remain free!

453 parking spaces in Cologne Weg - fire brigade access must remain free!

Agnesviertel, Köln, Deutschland - In the heart of Cologne it will be tight from Monday, July 19, 2025! A total of 453 parking spaces in the city center have to give way to make it easier to access the fire brigade and emergency services. The Agnesviertel is particularly affected, where 256 parking spaces are removed to use tight lanes. This is seen as an essential step to ensure security in dangerous situations. The Rundschau reports on another 97 parking spaces in Weißenburgstraße and 13 on Alvenslebenstraße, which will no longer be available. But 30 parking spaces also disappear in the Neusser Wall.

The preparations for the closures are already underway. Markings, bollards and bicycle stands are installed to prevent parking on these areas. Among the affected areas are Ewaldistraße, Maybachstrasse, Nikolaus-Groß-Straße and Wickratherstrasse in the Agnesviertel. The Pantaleonsviertel, Gereonsviertel and Greece district are also not excluded.

Security is going on

The reason behind this measure is obvious: fire and rescue vehicles need enough space to react quickly in an emergency. A look at the Verkehrslexikon shows that there is no special official traffic signs for "fire brigade access" - the labeling is subject to the respective state law provisions. It is therefore important that there is enough space for the emergency vehicles in the affected roads.

Parking in the fire brigade access can become more expensive in Germany. Those who are not careful have to expect fines that can be between 20 and 100 euros depending on the case. There are also points in Flensburg and even the opportunity to have the vehicle towed. The Bussgeld catalog clarifies that an absolute stop and parking is always required before the fire brigade drives.

political reactions

The decision also comes across criticism in politics, where residents take care of the loss of these parking facilities. Ralph Sterck, spokesman for urban development of the FDP council group, demands direct solutions such as uniform parking in other places and sees a long-term perspective in neighborhood garages. Especially the rejected construction of an underground car park under the Ebertplatz is considered problematic.

The new regulation obliges Cologne to plan differently. But the urgently needed room for emergency vehicles is at the top. It remains to be seen how the residents react to the upcoming changes and what solutions the city is available to relieve the traffic situation.