453 parking spaces in Cologne gone – fire brigade access must remain free!

453 parking spaces in Cologne gone – fire brigade access must remain free!

Things will be tight in the heart of Cologne from Monday, July 19, 2025! A total of 453 parking spaces in the city center have to be given way in order to make access easier for the fire brigade and rescue services. The Agnesviertel is particularly affected, where 256 parking spaces will be removed to make use of narrow lanes. This is seen as an essential step to ensure safety in dangerous situations. The Rundschau reports that a further 97 parking spaces on Weißenburgstrasse and 13 on Alvenslebenstrasse will no longer be available. But 30 parking spaces will also disappear in Neusser Wall.

Preparations for the closures are already underway. Markers, bollards and bike racks will be installed to prevent parking in these areas. The affected areas also include Ewaldistraße, Maybachstraße, Nikolaus-Groß-Straße and Wickratherstraße in the Agnesviertel. The Pantaleonsviertel, Gereonsviertel and Griechenmarktviertel are also not excluded.

Safety comes first

The reason behind this measure is obvious: fire and rescue vehicles need enough space to be able to react quickly in an emergency. A look at the Verkehrslexikon shows that there are no special official traffic signs for “fire brigade access” - the marking is subject to the respective state regulations. It is therefore important that there is enough space for emergency vehicles on the affected streets.

Parking in the fire department access can be more expensive in Germany. If you're not careful, you'll face fines that can range from 20 to 100 euros, depending on the case. There are also points in Flensburg and even the option of having the vehicle towed. The buss money catalog clarifies that there is always an absolute ban on stopping and parking in front of fire brigade access roads.

Political reactions

The decision has also met with criticism from politicians, where residents are concerned about the loss of these parking options. Ralph Sterck, spokesman for urban development for the FDP council group, calls for immediate solutions such as single parking in other places and sees neighborhood garages as a long-term perspective. The rejected construction of an underground car park under Ebertplatz is particularly problematic.

The new regulation obliges the people of Cologne to plan differently. But the urgently needed space for emergency vehicles is the top priority. It remains to be seen how residents will react to the upcoming changes and what solutions the city will provide to ease the traffic situation.