New environmental zones and driving bans in June 2023

Policymakers continue to use low emission zones and emission-related driving bans more often to reduce pollutant emissions on the roads and improve air quality for environmental and health protection. New zones are being created where pollution levels require it, and tighter rules are being imposed on the many low-emission zones already in place to further reduce air levels of pollutants that are harmful to the environment.  

This is exactly what is supposed to happen in Glasgow (Scotland). Last year, the city had planned to tighten the low emission zone regulations of the zone that has been active since 2018. But this was postponed by a year and will now come into force on 1 June. No longer will only city and local buses with diesel engines be banned in the Glasgow Low Emission Zone. The ban will be extended to all vehicle categories - namely M1, M2, M3, N1, N2, N3 with Euronorm 0-3 (petrol, LPG, CNG) and Euronorm 0-5 (diesel). Only vehicles of people with limited mobility, the police and other emergency services as well as vintage cars will remain unaffected and can enter the zone without further ado. For all others, however, a fine of between 60 - 960 pounds (approx. 70 - 1150 euros) is imposed. This fine is reduced by 50 % if paid within 14 days, but doubles in case of a further offence in the Low Emission Zone. The area affected will not change. It covers most of the city centre - bounded by the M8 motorway to the north and west, the River Clyde to the south and Saltmarket/ High St to the east.  

In France, on the other hand, a new low emission zone will be introduced in Toulon this month. However, this is not a permanent low emission zone, but a temporary and weather-related air protection zone (ZPA). This becomes valid after an advance warning stage when pollutant limits are exceeded between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m. - for example, when the fine dust limit of 50 µg/m³ is exceeded. When the air protection zone is activated, a range of vehicles will be affected by the driving bans, from mopeds of class L1e - and motorbikes of classes L2e to L7e - to passenger cars (M1), motor homes (M1), buses (M2 and M3), vans (N1 and N2) and trucks (N2 and N3). In addition to the exemptions for emergency services, carpools (3 or more people including the driver) will also be excluded from the ban - as well as all vehicles that need to get to the ferry at the port of Toulon-la Seyne-Brégaillon. The air protection zone affects the municipalities of Toulon, La Seyne-sur-Mer, Six-Fours-les-Plages, Ollioules, La Garde and La Valette-du-Var. The A50, A57 and A570 motorways remain open to traffic at all times.  

In France, however, the new weather-related air protection zone in Toulon is not the only thing to watch out for in traffic. In June, the tradition of car-free Sundays on the Champs-Élysées in Paris will continue - but with a twist. The boulevard will be car-free as usual for the first Sunday of the month and declared a pedestrian zone for strolling and lingering. But for the day, on 4 June, it will also become a classroom. Up to 1700 people will then take part in an open-air French dictation. This is part of a series of events that will take place on the Champs-Élysées on the occasion of the car-free Sundays in order, among other things, to create more social urban space for citizens.  

Car-free zones will also be introduced in Germany in the coming summer months. But these are not necessarily car-free Sundays. The city of Frankfurt am Main has decided on nine and a half weeks without cars. The Mainkai in Frankfurt's old town will be closed to car traffic as part of the "Summer on the Main" project. From 27 June to 1 September, the northern riverside road between the Alter Brücke and Untermainbrücke will be closed to car traffic and will be enlivened with numerous events. The Ironman, the Mainfest and the Museumsuferfest are just a few of them. The city thus promises "spaces of appropriation, dance and movement, encounter and exchange for future permanent transformation". Directly at the Mainkai as well as via online survey, Frankfurt residents can get involved in the planning and development of the city centre - including the future of the Mainkai. Mobility manager Stefan Majer (Greens) expects that the temporary conversion for the summer closure of the Mainkai will be a useful experience to test the effects on the entire city traffic also with regard to a possible permanent conversion. The bypass concept from last year will continue this summer.  

The capital, on the other hand, does not seem to have any plans to introduce new driving bans at the moment. After the section between Leipziger Straße and Französische Straße had been closed since the end of January, however, Berlin wants to reopen Friedrichstraße to cars. According to the new transport senator Manja Schreiner (CDU), it will be reopened to motorised traffic from July. "The partial closure of Friedrichstraße will be lifted. A special public interest is required for such a measure to be ordered," the statement from the transport department reads. "From the point of view of the Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection and the Environment, these conditions are not met and there is no urgency for the partial closure of the road" - Schreiner further explains. Instead of a driving ban, the city should develop a sustainable strategy that is compatible with the needs of the citizens and businesses in Berlin-Mitte. A pragmatic solution to develop the areas in the historic centre - according to the governing mayor Kai Wegner (CDU). What this should look like has not yet been determined by Berlin's transport senate. 

In addition to the new driving bans and car-free streets, all the already active environmental zones in Scotland, France and Germany - as well as in the rest of Europe - should not be forgotten. As always, all information is available on our website and in the Green Zones app.