Speed limits in Brussels due to fine dust
As of today, the maximum speed in Brussels will be reduced to 50 km/h on roads where a limit of 70 or 90 km/h normally applies. In addition, the police carry out extra speed checks. Public transport (STIB) will be free, just like a day ticket for the bicycle service Villo!.
Very high particulate matter concentrations in the air are measured in the Brussels-Capital Region, Bruzz reports. Therefore applicable from a few important measures. We all talked about the speed limits in the introduction.
In addition, heating with wood is not allowed, unless the only option is to heat a house.
Not only Brussels has the last of fine fabric. The 24-hour average particulate matter concentrations are higher than the information threshold of 35 µg/m3 (PM2.5) in all three regions. It is about 40 µg/m³ in Flanders, 39 µg/m³ in Brussels and 42 µg/m³ in Wallonia. But only in Brussels does the intervention phase (with measures) take effect.
‘The high particulate matter concentrations are caused by low air pollution (from industry, agriculture, traffic and heating of buildings) due to low wind speeds that are poorly measured. Due to the cold weather, emissions from building heating, mainly caused by wood stoves, are also higher,’ explains the interregional Cell for the Environment Ircel to Bruzz.
There are no measures in place in Flanders yet. The Flemish Environment Agency calls on the population not to burn wood in fireplaces of stoves as additional heating or to create atmosphere.
Next week the temperatures will soften again and pure sea air will blow over, which should ensure that the amount of fine dust decreases again.
Freezing cold paralyzes train traffic from Brussels to France
There are no international trains (Thalys, TGV and Eurostar) between Brussels and France on Saturday morning due to the freezing cold.
Train traffic has been interrupted since 08:30. A Thalys and a TGV are standing still at Ruisbroek, due to ice on the overhead lines. As a result, all train traffic to France has been interrupted.
Infrabel teams are now restoring the top line. The passengers of the trains are evacuated. Heating was provided in the stationary trains.