WARNING OVER FRENCH AIR QUALITY FINES

Drivers heading to France are being warned to make sure they understand pollution controls being rolled out in parts of the country.

Four cities– paris, grenoble, Lyon and Lille – have signed up to the Crit’air scheme, which restricts or bans vehicles from built-up areas depending on their emissions.

Drivers flouting the restrictions can be hit with a fine of between €68 (about £62) and €135 (about £123)

The scheme requires all vehicles entering particular locations – including those arriving from the UK – to display a sticker that shows how polluting it is based on its Euro emissions category. Cities and towns can then choose to restrict access to vehicles displaying particular stickers.

In Paris restrictions are permanently in place every weekday, with cars built before january 2001 complete banned between 8am and 8pm. The other cities operate restrictions when pollution exceeds a set level.

According to research by the Ra ca third of drivers are unaware of the Cr it’ air scheme and its restrictions, leaving themselves open to a fine.

RAC spokesman Rod:“our message to drivers is simple–if there is even a small chance of you visiting any of the places which are affected then apply for a Crit’air sticker now.

“A sticker costs about £4.40 (€4.80). Drivers should ensure they apply only via the official French government website as a number of third party websites sell the same sticker for substantially more money.”