Port of Gdańsk Authority SA is taking the initiative to finance the cleaning of the roads and pavements, including the accompanying infrastructure, road signs and barriers leading to the port terminals. It has also commissioned the construction of further buffer points for trucks. All this is intended to minimise the nuisance of HGV traffic.
The first stage of tidying up the road infrastructure leading to the Port of Gdańsk has just been completed. The second stage is due to begin in early May and will last until 15 July. The streets to be cleaned are: Ku Ujściu, Trasa Sucharskiego, Przetoczna, the tunnel under Martwa Wisła, and the beginning of Płażyńskiego Street. In total, this covers an area of over 151,000 sq m.
“We have had a meeting with the authorities of the city of Gdańsk, who understand the requirements of the current geopolitical situation and the need to ensure the energy security of the country. This is why we have been able to agree on a course of action. We are aware that increased truck traffic affects the road capacity and pollution of the port’s access infrastructure. This is why we are coming up with an initiative to help clean the areas around the port in order to minimise the related nuisance,” explains Kamil Tarczewski, Deputy CEO for Infrastructure at Port of Gdańsk Authority SA.
The first stage of the clean-up began in late January and ended in April (the clean-up was dependent on weather conditions). The next stage is due to start in early May.
ZMPG S.A. stays in touch with the city authorities to assist the municipal services in eliminating the nuisance of street pollution in the vicinity of the access roads to the port terminals. The scope of the clean-up work has been agreed with the Gdańsk Roads and Greenery Authority.
“We realise that transport must continue, but the organisation of deliveries cannot take place at the expense of the residents of Gdańsk. This is why we are happy about the assurances from the Port of Gdańsk Authority that additional measures will be taken to improve the situation in the area. We are open to further efforts to create joint solutions contributing to the reduction of nuisance in that area,” adds Piotr Kryszewski, Deputy Mayor of the City of Gdańsk for Utilities.
In order to relieve the congestion caused by trucks, the Port of Gdańsk has also earmarked areas for the organisation of buffer points for HGVs. These buffer points are located on the following streets: Budowniczych Portu Płn. (150 parking places), Ku Ujściu (80 places), Załogowa (currently about 50 places, with a possible expansion up to 300) and Śnieżna – Handlowa (170 places). Buffer car parks are also planned at Kontenerowa (600 cars) and Budowniczych Portu Płn. (150 places).
The Port of Gdansk has also asked port operators to allow hauliers to wash their vehicles on their premises, before entering public roads, as well as to increase checks on departing trucks to ensure that goods are secured with tarpaulins and that coal is sprayed with a water-based polymer that significantly reduces dust. The operators have declared their willingness to do so.
The Port of Gdańsk Authority has also entered into discussions with representatives of the Nowy Port district regarding possible measures to reduce dust. One of the proposals from residents was new tree and shrub planting in the areas around the port, in close proximity to the residential buildings. The planting project along Oliwska Street has been already submitted to the city authorities and is now at the final decision-making stage. Analyses are underway for additional locations in the neighbouring districts.
“At the same time, we would like to reassure the residents and emphasise that we are monitoring air quality in the Port of Gdańsk on an ongoing basis. There are 7 sensors monitoring the concentration of particulate matter located in the port area. The YetiSense network we use monitors PM10, PM2.5 particles, and we publish the results of this monitoring on our website,” says Kamil Tarczewski.
Anyone interested in the current air quality in the Port of Gdańsk and its vicinity can monitor it on an ongoing basis. Information on dust concentrations is available on the website
www.portgdansk.pl.
The Port of Gdańsk Authority is also planning a meeting with representatives of the Nowy Port District Council in the near future.
Source: Port of Gdańsk
