The Upcoming
  • Culture
    • Art
    • Cinema
      • Movie reviews
      • Film festivals
    • Food & Drinks
      • News & Features
      • Restaurant & bar reviews
      • Interviews & Recipes
    • Literature
    • Music
      • Live music
    • Theatre
    • Shows & On demand
  • Fashion & Lifestyle
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • News & Features
    • Shopping & Trends
    • Tips & How-tos
    • Fashion weeks
  • What’s On
    • Art exhibitions
    • Theatre shows
  • Tickets
  • Join us
    • Editorial unit
    • Our writers
    • Join the team
    • Join the mailing list
    • Fund us
    • Contact us
  • Interviews
  • Competitions
  • Special events
    • Film festivals
      • Berlin
      • Tribeca
      • Cannes
      • Sundance London
      • Venice
      • London
      • Toronto
    • Fashion weeks
      • London Fashion Week
      • New York Fashion Week
      • Milan Fashion Week
      • Paris Fashion Week
      • Haute Couture
      • London Fashion Week Men’s
  • Facebook

  • Twitter

  • Instagram

  • YouTube

  • Tumblr

  • RSS


Paris restricts car use as pollution exceeds safe levels in France

Paris restricts car use as pollution exceeds safe levels in France
16 March 2014
Catherine Bennett
Catherine Bennett
Avatar
Catherine Bennett
16 March 2014

The French government has taken measures to tackle dangerous levels of pollution currently hitting the capital, introducing a reduction on the use of vehicles in Paris.

French government forced to act as pollution reaches high

Car and motorcycle users will now only be able to take to the roads every other day. The ban will come into effect from Monday, with those having a licence number plate ending in an uneven digit able to use the roads on the first day.

It is the second time that the French government has implemented a restriction on vehicles. The last time it came into force was in 1997. The decision comes after the announcement by Paris transport authorities on Friday that public transport would be free over the weekend, in an attempt to encourage Parisians to leave their cars at home.

Last week, the level of pollution particulates in the air in the capital reached a dangerous high of 180 micrograms per cubic metre well over double the safe limit of 80mcg.

Transport authorities have said the spike in levels of air pollution is due to a recent mixture of warm, dry days and cool nights, which has prevented pollution particulates from dispersing and leaving a cloudy build-up in the air.

Apart from the ban, French government has also introduced other measures to tackle pollution, including speed restrictions and warnings against burning fuel.

A spokesperson from the office of prime minister Jean-Marc Ayrault said: “The prime minister is aware of the difficulties this may cause to the everyday lives of Parisians, but this is a necessary measure. According to how the situation evolves, a decision will be made on Monday morning whether the ban will continue for the rest of the week.”

Such high levels of pollution can pose serious health risks for residents of the city and other affected areas throughout France.

French authorities have issued a series of recommendations in an attempt to minimise potential repercussions. Those who suffer from asthma are advised not to go near to major roads or sites of congestion – so a trip to the Arc de Triomphe is off-limits this weekend.

The authorities are even encouraging people not to exercise outside as the air quality is very poor. Parents are being told to keep an eye on young children for possible breathing problems.

Catherine Bennett

Related Items

More in

The Wound (Inxeba)

★★★★★
Andrew Murray
Read More

Clare Smyth crowned the World’s Best Female Chef 2018

The editorial unit
Read More

Strictly Ballroom at Piccadilly Theatre

★★★★★
Cristiana Ferrauti
Read More

The Writer at the Almeida Theatre

★★★★★
Connor Campbell
Read More

Avengers: Infinity War

★★★★★
Aidan Milan
Read More

Natural ways to stay healthy and beautiful

The editorial unit
Read More

Top four destinations to experience culture in Spain

The editorial unit
Read More

Top tools and tips you’ll need in order to brew your own beer at home

The editorial unit
Read More

Three women’s health facts you didn’t know

The editorial unit
Read More
Scroll for more
Tap

Tickets

Theatre tickets

  • Popular

  • Latest

  • TOP PICKS

  • Project Gastronomía: How will Londoners eat in 2050? A symposium on gastronomy and multisensory design
    Food & Drinks
  • Clare Smyth crowned the World’s Best Female Chef 2018
    Food & Drinks
  • Bat Out of Hell at the Dominion Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Tribeca Film Festival 2018: On the red carpet with the stars of Westworld season 2
    Cinema
  • Tokio Myers at the Forum
    ★★★★★
    Live music
  • The Wound (Inxeba)
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Clare Smyth crowned the World’s Best Female Chef 2018
    Food & Drinks
  • Strictly Ballroom at Piccadilly Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • The Writer at the Almeida Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Avengers: Infinity War
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • The Wound (Inxeba)
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Strictly Ballroom at Piccadilly Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • The Writer at the Almeida Theatre
    ★★★★★
    Theatre
  • Avengers: Infinity War
    ★★★★★
    Movie review
  • Sherlock Gnomes premiere: A chat with James McAvoy, his co-stars and the film’s creators
    Cinema

Instagram

Something is wrong. Response takes too long or there is JS error. Press Ctrl+Shift+J or Cmd+Shift+J on a Mac.
The Upcoming
Pages
  • Contact us
  • Fund us
  • Join mailing list
  • Join us
  • New London restaurant openings and pop-ups
  • Our London food map
  • Our writers
  • Subscribe
  • What, when, why

Copyright © 2018 FL Media Ltd