In France, a limited traffic zone (ZTL), as the name suggests, restricts the movement of vehicles within a limited perimeter. Responding to noise, visual or environmental logic. They increasingly appear as a solution for reduce congestion in city centers. Born in Italy in the 70s and 80s, they were not exported to France until the end. Nantes was the first to deploy it. It was in 2012. Since then, two more have appeared on the territory, in Grenoble and Rennes.

In these areas, priority is given to pedestrians, cyclists, public transport. Of course, there are exceptions for local residents, courier drivers, and emergency services. Similar projects are planned in several other French cities. This is the case of Paris, whose ZTL is starting to take shape in earnest.

More cars in the first four districts

The mayor of the capital, Ann Hidalgo, confirmed her wish to implement it at the beginning of next year. To work for the summer Olympic Games. They thought for a long time, but at the beginning of 2022 it was postponed for a year and a half. This term is an opportunity finalize the project. With residents’ associations, traders and local transport operators. To better define its contours and scale.

The prefect of police at the time, Didier Lallement, expressed particular reservations about the movement of police services in the area. Set on the Île de la Cité, the police headquarters would indeed be located in the heart of the ZTL. This should apply to the “Paris Centre”, i.e. the first four arrondissements which merged into this new company in 2017. Certain axes attached to the 5th, 6th and 7th arrondissements will also be added.

A similar project in Lyon

Regarding the ongoing negotiations, the mayor wanted to reassure. ” We are still discussing, in very good intelligence, the perimeter with police headquarters. These events will not prevent her from continuing her mission to protect Parisians.” AFP also notes that relations between the City Hall and the Prefecture of Paris have improved significantly. Since the change of the prefect and the arrival of Laurent Núñez in particular. As reported by AFP, Ann Hidalgo will ensure it is “on schedule” to start operating in early 2024.” ” We will be sending our file to the Environment Agency in the coming weeks for a public inquiry at the end of the summer.” From this date, unauthorized motorists in the area will be forced to bypass it. A similar project is planned in Lyon starting this summer.