Paris lifts traffic restriction

Alternating traffic imposed in Ile-de-France region since December 6 on high pollution level, will be removed over the weekend due to an expected improvement in air quality, Paris prefecture said on Friday.

"Given more favourable forecasts, Paris prefecture, in agreement with Paris city hall... decided to lift alternating traffic from Friday midnight," Xinhua quoted a statement as saying.

Meanwhile, it called on Parisians to limit the use of their cars due to uncertain weather conditions in the coming days and to avoid another period of high pollution.

Traffic has been restricted since December 6 in Paris and in 22 neighbouring municipalities as air pollution reached high levels due to increased pollutant of PM10, particulate matter measuring less than 10 micron.

Following a pollution peak, local authorities offered free public transport. They also encouraged the use of clean modes of transport such as Velib and Autolib, which are public sharing services for bicycles and electric cars.

--IANS

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