Spain: in Madrid, a new decree of the mayor, promoting pollution, creates controversy
Cars on the now "Madrid Central", a restrictive plan to fight against pollution.
June 17, 2019. AFP - GABRIEL BOUYS
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The recent mayor of Madrid, the conservative José Luis Almeida, intends to unravel the flagship measure of his predecessor Manuela Carmena, close to the left of Podemos: the latter had set up a plan of "non-contamination" in the center of Madrid, "Madrid Central ”, very restrictive.
From this Wednesday, September 22, a new plan, “Distrito Central”, comes into force, much more comprehensive with traders, but also more polluting.
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With our correspondent in Madrid,
François Musseau
It used to be called Madrid Central, now it's called Distrito Central. This is not just a facelift of a project to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. It is a substantial change. Until then, with what the former mayor had decided, it was very difficult to enter what is called the manzana, that is to say the central part of the capital. There is now a major difference: the 15,000 traders in this center, who could no longer enter with their vehicle, can now do so. As in the past, hence the anger of many residents. Like Celia, postwoman: “
For us, the previous situation was very good.
There was less traffic, many contaminating vehicles could not enter, and you could really feel the progress in traffic and pollution.
There, we are back to square one.
As if there was no rule.
"
The irritation of Celia and many others is the feeling that the new mayor of the capital,
José Luis Martinez-Almeida
, feels very concerned with trade, but very little with the environment.
But others, like retired Tatiana, are in favor of the new plan.
“
That seems very good to me, because this measure reactivates trade.
This is all the more important in the post-pandemic period.
This will help traders and facilitate access to goods.
"
It remains to be seen whether a majority of Madrilenians are satisfied or dissatisfied with the new situation.
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