High levels of particulate matter, poor air quality and tough measures: Milan and eight other provinces in northern Italy's Lombardy region are currently struggling with severe air pollution. In response to the alarming environmental situation, the authorities have adopted a series of restrictive measures. These affect not only citizens, but also motorists.
Since yesterday, 16.10.2023, the Mont Blanc Tunnel has been completely closed to traffic for 2 months. Drivers must be prepared for long detours and traffic jams.
Actually, there should be a ban on diesel Euro5 vehicles in Piedmont in Italy soon. 76 municipalities would be affected. Now the council has put the changes on hold for the time being. A sigh of relief for the owners of the approximately 140,000 vehicles.
Attention, truck drivers! Due to a public holiday in Italy, there are some changes this week that you should be aware of. The Federal Ministry for Climate Protection is taking measures to regulate heavy goods traffic in Tyrol with driving bans and closures. So be prepared to exercise patience once again!
In addition to the existing strict environmental zone, an additional truck driving ban and four block clearance days on tomorrow's public holiday are planned for the Ascension week in Tyrol. Additional driving bans on main and secondary roads in the region are also planned for the coming months to dose traffic. Long traffic jams are to be expected in the Inn Valley and the rest of Tyrol.
Graffiti that reduces particulate matter pollution in cities with and without environmental zones - that's unrealistic? That's exactly what the graffiti painted with special colours by street artist Alessandro Breveglieri do, because they can absorb pollutants and then release them back into the environment in a purified form. A small improvement for a city as smog-ridden as Milan, but one that offers potential for larger projects.
There seems to be no solution in sight to the issue of traffic management on the Brenner Pass. Above all, the volume of lorry traffic is unmanageable for Austria and neighbouring countries. Tyrol's FPÖ leader is calling for the closure of the A13 Brenner motorway in case of emergency and thus for complete truck driving bans.
Every year, sectoral and night-time transit bans take effect in Tyrol to keep the high volume of traffic under control - to the benefit of citizens and the environment. Every year Austria is criticised by neighbouring countries for exactly this reason. A "Brenner Coordination Group" will now organise large protest actions.
Due to the German National Day on 3 October, a special ban on lorries will also be imposed in Austria and southern Tyrol.
The current energy crisis and rising charging costs are not good news for the electric car sector either. In Bolzano, many e-car drivers living in apartment buildings will face charging bans.
