Barcelona will have a low emission zone 20 times larger than Central Madrid

[Inkriql]

The mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau, has presented at a press conference what will be the largest low-emission zone in Spain as of January 1, 2020.

The City of Barcelona will have a low emission zone 20 times larger than Central Madrid. It will be accompanied, Colau said, an increase in the offer of public transport, pacification of streets and promotion of bicycle and other non-polluting transport.

"It is not a measure that will solve everything but it is a measure that involves a paradigm shift," says the first mayor of Barcelona. In the low emission zone, already successfully implemented in many European cities, the most polluting vehicles will not be able to circulate from Monday to Friday during business hours.

Ada Colau also says that in 15 years they will reduce pollutant emissions by 30%. A measure that has been labeled "historical" because, he said, "we want not to have 350 premature deaths a year alone in the city of Barcelona due to pollution."

This measure will substantially change the habits of thousands of citizens, so the City Council does not plan to fine vehicles that commit infractions until April 1.