A new step towards fewer vehicles in the center of Paris. The Paris Police Prefect (PP), Laurent Nunez, signed the decree authorizing the limited traffic zone (ZTL) which must be set up in the four districts of Paris Center (except the high quays). It was published this Thursday morning.
If no date is officially given in this decree consulted by Le Parisien, we can read that “the decree comes into force as soon as the signage provided for by the regulations is put in place”. Which should be the case, according to our information, at the very beginning of next week. Indeed, the traffic signs have already been put up and were waiting impatiently under tarpaulins.
The system, which aims to ban transit traffic in the center of Paris, was to be introduced in the fall of 2024 by a joint decree of the mayor of Paris and the police prefect. There is now no longer any brake.
This “ZTL” prohibits vehicles from crossing this zone if they do not stop there. Thus, on its website, the City lists a certain number of examples of motorists authorized to travel in this sector of just over 5 km².
Residents, workers, delivery people, patients, customers of stores, businesses, restaurants, theaters or cinemas, etc. will not be affected. Just like taxis, convenience stores (elevator or others), those who visit friends or art enthusiasts who have gone to a gallery.
After a prevention period of at least three months (or even six) with teams of volunteers on the ground, checks of motorized vehicles should intensify when “exiting” this ZTL. An online, self-declaring certification system could see the light of day in a second phase. Then, drivers will have to provide proof of the reason for their use in the area (shopping receipts, restaurant or theater bill, etc.).
According to the City, several major roads should thus be relieved of some traffic, such as Boulevard de Sébastopol or Avenue de l'Opéra. “Finally, it is estimated that only 30% of transitors absolutely need a car to make their journey (charging port, complex journeys, lack of public transport solutions). For the remaining 70%, the car is above all a convenience,” explained the City on its website.
Opponents of the measure fear an impact on traffic in this commercial heart of the capital as well as a delay in traffic on the surrounding roads. Perverse effects which had been noted in studies.