Paris: The mayor of Paris called for diesel cars to be banned from the French capital by 2020 and said pedestrian-only neighbourhoods should be created in the city centre as part of a plan to fight pollution.
Anne Hidalgo told the Journal de Dimanche in an interview published on Sunday that her anti-pollution plan would be discussed at a city council meeting on December 9.
"I want to see the end of diesel in Paris by 2020," she said, adding that there exceptions could be made for low-income car owners to allow them to use old vehicles only occasionally.
"Today 60 percent of Parisians already do not have cars, compared with 40 percent in 2001. Things are changing quickly."
Hidalgo's plan also includes limits on the tourist buses that clog Paris streets, banning trucks from cutting through the city on their way elsewhere, and adding electric vans to the city's car-sharing scheme.
Driving on some streets that have become "canyons of pollution" such as the Champs Elysees or Rue de Rivoli could be limited to only low-emission cars and trucks, she said.
In proposing a raft of anti-pollution measures, Hidalgo is building on the efforts of her predecessor and mentor, the former Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe.
He championed bike and car rental schemes, expanded bus and bicycle lanes, and reduced speed limits, as he sought to wean Parisians off cars in a bid to make the city more liveable.
Some 84 percent of Paris residents see fighting pollution as a priority and 54 percent supported a diesel ban in the city by 2020, according a poll of 804 people carried out by Ifop for the Journal de Dimanche.
Diesel engines are around 20 per cent more fuel-efficient than petrol engines, so generate less carbon dioxide per mile. But they but emit other pollutants that health researchers, including the World Health Organisation, have found to cause health problems including cancer.
Other major cities including London, Rome and New York have also tried to reduce their reliance on cars by pedestrianising certain zones or adopting so-called "congestion charging," which slaps a daily fee on people who drive in city centres.
Anne Hidalgo told the Journal de Dimanche in an interview published on Sunday that her anti-pollution plan would be discussed at a city council meeting on December 9.
"I want to see the end of diesel in Paris by 2020," she said, adding that there exceptions could be made for low-income car owners to allow them to use old vehicles only occasionally.
Hidalgo's plan also includes limits on the tourist buses that clog Paris streets, banning trucks from cutting through the city on their way elsewhere, and adding electric vans to the city's car-sharing scheme.
Advertisement
In proposing a raft of anti-pollution measures, Hidalgo is building on the efforts of her predecessor and mentor, the former Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe.
Advertisement
Some 84 percent of Paris residents see fighting pollution as a priority and 54 percent supported a diesel ban in the city by 2020, according a poll of 804 people carried out by Ifop for the Journal de Dimanche.
Advertisement
Other major cities including London, Rome and New York have also tried to reduce their reliance on cars by pedestrianising certain zones or adopting so-called "congestion charging," which slaps a daily fee on people who drive in city centres.
© Thomson Reuters 2014
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Tens Of Thousands To Welcome Kylian Mbappe To Real Madrid France's Leading Goalscorer Olivier Giroud Ends International Career Soldier Injured In Paris Knife Attack, Suspect Arrested: Cops Amit Shah Meets PM, UP BJP Chief Offers To Quit Over Poll Drubbing: Sources "I Divorce You... Your Ex-Wife": Dubai Princess Dumps Husband In Insta Post In Massive Row Over Karnataka 100% Quota Bill, Chief Minister Deletes Post Are Doors Still Open For Nephew Ajit? Sharad Pawar Said This Karnataka High Court Gives Bail To 3 Murder Accused In Gauri Lankesh Case Consumption, Private Investment: The Twin Challenge For Budget FY25 Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.