Disputes continue in Riga over the new traffic organization in the Grizinkalns neighborhood. The restrictions introduced this spring to reduce transit traffic on Varna Street have divided local residents into two camps, reports [TV3 News](https://tv3.lv/zinas/latvija/sabiedriba/dome-grib-dabut-cilvekus-ara-no-rigas-grizinkalna-nerimst-dusmas-par-satiksmes-izmainam/). On Thursday evening, the leadership of the Riga City Council met with residents, but the discussion repeatedly escalated in tone. Some demanded the cancellation of the changes, while others supported them. According to local resident Zane, since the traffic scheme was changed, her family loses about 40 minutes daily. > "The Riga City Council wants to drive people out of Riga so that it becomes a dead city," she stated. Other participants in the meeting also complained that residents were not informed in advance about the planned changes and were not involved in the discussion. "In essence, there can be no dialogue. We were not informed at all about the planned changes, let alone any constructive discussion," pointed out Vyacheslav. At the same time, some residents believe that the innovations should not be canceled. > "There are people who like the changes, and there is a third who do not like them. They certainly need to be heard, but one cannot speak on behalf of all of Grizinkalns," noted local resident Lauris. More than 3,000 signatures have already been collected for the cancellation of the changes, but the Riga City Council emphasizes that a final decision has not yet been made. According to Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs, the future of the new traffic scheme will be determined by an advisory council that includes traffic organization specialists.
