Madrid looks to become the first European city to scrap it's low emission zone

It has been revealed that Madrid could become the first European city to scrap its low emission zone.

The news which was reported in The Guardian, comes after regional polls left a member of the right-wing Popular Party on the verge of becoming president of the Madrid region.

Isabel Diaz Ayuso has stated that she believes that night-time congestion makes the city special and has pledged to reverse the decision to bring in the controversial charging zone.

Whilst campaigning, Ayuso stated that although traffic jams aren’t an enjoyable part of life, it is a sign of the city’s identity and shows that Madrid is always vibrant and alive, and goes hand in hand with the city’s nightlife.

Madrid would be the first major city in Europe to reverse a clean air scheme, which was introduced much to the chagrin of Spanish conservatives.

It is believed that pollution levels have plummeted by nearly 50% since the introduction of the zone compared to 2018 figures.

It is claimed by a spokesperson for the Ecologists in Action campaign group that City centre residents are happy with the low emission zone, and has claimed that reversing the project will have a detrimental effect on public health.

The low emission zone was initially introduced after the European Commission threatened to take legal action against Spain after it was revealed that the Spanish capital had an unacceptably high level of noxious gases in the atmosphere.

With Madrid possibly becoming the first European city to reverse the scheme, could London and other cities eventually follow suit and stop what is seen by many as nothing more than a tax on the less well off?

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