“Imminent” launch of the low emission zone (ZFE) in Toulouse
The announcement is likely to deplore some road users who hoped to save a little time on the calendar. On the sidelines of the inauguration of a new bus line, Thursday, October 21, the mayor of Toulouse, Jean-Luc Moudenc, delegated that the application of the ZFE (low emission zone) was imminent in the pink city. This ZFE must prohibit the most polluting motor vehicles from driving from 2023 in certain parts of Toulouse.
A measure intended to improve air quality
As a reminder, the ZFE was put in place by the government to improve air quality. It should thus make it possible to reduce atmospheric pollution, responsible for 2,800 deaths per year in Occitania., according to the figures mentioned by the prefect of Haute-Garonne in 2016. Since last August 24, it has been generalized to 33 new towns of more than 150,000 inhabitants with the Climate and Resilience Act. In the towns where it has been set up, the most polluting vehicles can no longer circulate in certain areas.
In Toulouse, this perimeter will be wide: three quarters of the town are concerned, including the Arc-en-Ciel ring road to the west, the districts of Basso-Combo to Purpan and the Sept-Deniers, part of the Auch road, as well as part of Colomiers and Tournefeuille. In total, 72 kmĀ² are affected by this restriction, which is valid 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The immediate effect is a drop in pollutant emissions in the most populated areas.
A gradual timetable for the establishment of the EPZ
The deployment of this EPZ will be progressive. From 2021, traffic will be prohibited: vans, vans and heavy goods vehicles Crit’air 5 sticker and not classified. In 2022, the same utility vehicles and heavy goods vehicles Crit’air 4 sticker will be affected.
From 2023, light vehicles and two-wheelers, certified Crit-air 4 and 5 and not classified, will no longer be allowed to drive in this ZFE. And in 2024, light vehicles, two-wheelers, utility vehicles and heavy goods vehicles Crit’air 3 sticker will be affected. From this date, vehicles not affected by this ban will be those certified Crit’air 2 and 1 and electric or hydrogen vehicles.
Decree “imminent” … but no precise date
Initially scheduled for spring 2021, the ZFE was finally delayed until September. But since then, it has still not been implemented. However, this Thursday, October 21, on the occasion of the inauguration of bus line 25, Jean-Luc Moudenc was part of his discussions with Barbara Pompili.
“I have just received a letter from Barbara Pompili, the Minister for the Ecological Transition, specifying that the publication of the ministerial decree of the law was imminent”, he explained. Before adding: “as soon as the decree is published, we will launch the ZFE”. The mayor of Toulouse did not however give a precise date.
Mobilization scheduled for November 6
For the moment, only biker associations have publicly shared their disagreement with several mobilizations this year. But the mayor also says he has received several requests for a moratorium and exemptions. Furthermore, a mobilization of motorcyclists and motorists is already planned for November 6 to protest against this new traffic restriction.