By Rob Hull
Updated: 06:34 AEDT, 5 November 2024
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Motorists from this week will be banned from driving through the centre of Paris as the capital's mayor continues to wage war on motoring.
Anne Hidalgo, the socialist leader who has launched various punitive anti-car measures in her decade-long term, last week published a decree imposing a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) in the city.
The scheme, which replicates those already in place in Italian cities -including Milan and Rome - borders an area spanning five square kilometres (around three miles) and encompasses major landmarks including the Louvre, Tuileries Garden, and a large section of the Avenue de l’Opéra.
Following a six-month 'educational' grace period where drivers will receive warnings for breaching ZTL rules, thereafter they are set to face fines of €135 (approximately £114).
Paris introduces Limited Traffic Zone in city centre: Motorists from this week will be banned from driving through the centre of Paris as the capital's mayor continues to wage war on motoring
Anne Hidalgo (pictured), the socialist leader who has launched various punitive anti-car measures in her decade-long term, has pushed through plans for a ZTL in the city
Only traffic 'originating from or destined for the streets within this perimeter' will be authorised to travel through the three-mile-square area, which covers the first four arrondissements
The Paris ZTL will officially be introduced on Tuesday 5 November as part of a traffic police order co-signed by the Prefect of Police and the Mayor of Paris.
It will be in operation 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
'As of November 5, 2024, a Limited Traffic Zone is implemented in Paris Center,' the City of Paris confirms on its website.
Only traffic 'originating from or destined for the streets within this perimeter' will be authorised to travel through the area, which covers the first four arrondissements including the homes of around 100,000 people and 110,000 business premises.
'Conversely, transit traffic (crossing the zone) is prohibited,' it added.
Currently, between 350,000 and 550,000 vehicles are estimated to pass through central Paris every day.
However, officials argue that 70 per cent are 'convenience' journeys rather than necessity, which unnecessarily adds to both air and noise pollution levels.
Mayor for the city centre region, Ariel Weil, said: 'The ZTL is an important new step that will be gradually implemented starting with the educational phase.
'Its effects will combine with those of the traffic plan, with the dual aim of reducing traffic and making it more fluid.'
Paris isn't the first city in France to introduce a ZTL; Nantes adopted the scheme back in 2012, while similar zones are relatively abundant in Italy, including in Florence and Pisa.
They differ from 'Low Emission Zones', like the London ULEZ, Birmingham CAZ and Scottish LEZ scheme, which are charges levied based on a vehicle's emissions, and is most similar to the Congestion Charge Zone in Centre London.
In a promotional video launching the scheme, Paris City Hall says ZTL will 'lower traffic to be able to reshape mobility and mobility public space in favour of pedestrians, public transport and bicycles'.
Currently, between 350,000 and 550,000 vehicles are estimated to pass through central Paris every day. However, officials argue that 70% are 'convenience' journeys rather than necessity, which unnecessarily adds to both air and noise pollution levels
During the mayor's 10-year term, she has made streets narrower with the creation of new cycle lanes and pavements, and pedestrianized the popular shopping hotspot, Rue de Rivoli.
She is also the driving force behind higher charges for owners of larger vehicles parking in the city.
In central Paris, SUVs face a staggering £190 for parking over six hours, which is more than three times the cost to park a smaller car (which is around £63).
Closer to home, some fear that such extreme measures to deter driving in Paris could be replicated by London's Mayor.
Sadiq Khan, who has spearheaded the expansion of the much-hated Ultra Low Emission Zone, has previously expressed admiration for some of Hidalgo's policies, particularly her decision to hike parking charges for SUVs.
In February, Mr Khan described the move as 'innovative'.
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