Helsinki is not to ban bus rally around Temppeliaukio Church

Deputy Mayor: For tourists a distance of 800 metres is too far to walk

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The City of Helsinki does not plan to forbid tour buses from driving up to the front of the popular Temppeliaukio Church in Töölö - known locally as "The Church in the Rock" - in order to disgorge passengers.
      Councillor Pia Pakarinen (National Coalition) insisted at a recent City Council meeting that something should be done to the parking of tour buses in the Temppeliaukio Square.
      She says that the parking of tour buses in narrow streets poses an unreasonable impediment to local residents, particularly during summer months.
     
In Pakarinen’s view, tour buses should be parked in the sports field on Runeberginkatu or in the neighbourhood of Tennispalatsi (”Tennis Palace”) in the nearby district of Kamppi.
      According to Deputy Mayor Hannu Penttilä (SDP), in practice the only possible parking space for tour buses would be on Eteläinen Rautatiekatu in the street section between Runeberginkatu and Fredrikinkatu, which is 800 metres away from the church by foot.
     
It is too far away, Penttilä feels.
      Dangerous situations could arise, as queues of tourists would have to cross several streets on their way to the church.
      ”The Temppeliaukio Church is located atop a hill, which is why the banning of bus transportation could very likely reduce the visits of old and disabled people to the church”, Penttilä added.
     
However, some councillors would like to forbid all bus transport in the immediate vicinity of the church.
      ”In Europe one cannot go by bus all the way to the altar of a church”, noted Sari Sarkomaa (National Coalition).
      Osmo Soininvaara (Green League) also gave examples of other countries.
      ”To St. Peter’s Basilica one has to walk from the neighbouring country”, Soininvaara said wryly, pointing to the church which is located within the Vatican City.
      Temppeliaukio Church, built in the late 1960s, is one of Helsinki's major sightseeing locations, and draws thousands of tourists each year.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  The "Anti-Devil Defence Bunker" wins the day against architectural critics (29.9.2009)
  Forty years on for Temppeliaukio Church (28.9.2009)

Links:
  Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki (Wikipedia)

Helsingin Sanomat