Madrid shifts into reverse on pollution

MADRID — Local governments across Europe have spent more than a decade introducing laws that restrict vehicle access to the central areas of many cities in an effort to improve air quality for residents and visitors alike. But as of Monday, Madrid is heading in the opposite direction.

Drivers will no longer face fines for entering a designated downtown area, known as Madrid Central, that was turned into a lowemissions zone in late November, banning most vehicles from entry.

The policy Uturn makes Madrid the first major European city to reverse a ban on highemissions vehicles and allow cars unfettered access to an area that was placed out of bounds for many less than a year ago.

In 2003, London became the first major European city to force drivers to pay a congestion fee to enter the heart of the city. From Brussels to Milan, several other European cities followed suit, introducing their own fee systems or traffic bans, targeting highemissions vehicles like trucks and older diesel cars. In Germany, court rulings have forced Munich and other cities to reduce traffic.

The sudden reversal in Madrid has left many residents frustrated. Thousands protesting the decision marched through the city Saturday, and activists disrupted traffic Monday.

After municipal elections in May, a new conservative mayor took over Madrid’s City Hall, with the backing of a rightwing coalition that includes Vox, Spain’s ultranationalist party.

Environmental experts now warn that Spanish authorities could soon face a fine from Brussels for not meeting stringent emissionsreducing targets.