The day after his appointment, the new Minister of Transport assured, in his interview with Le Parisien, that he had “the intention” of meeting the mayor (PS) of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, as quickly as possible. With a priority issue to discuss: the lowering of the maximum speed authorized on the ring road to 50 km/h, which must begin to come into force this Tuesday, October 1.
Four days after expressing reservations about this measure, François Durovray was received this Friday at City Hall by the mayor of Paris, “to discuss transport and mobility issues in Paris and Île-de-France” , let those around him know.
At the end of this exchange, which took place in the morning at City Hall, the two political leaders drafted a joint press release. “The Minister of Transport and the Mayor of Paris share a common desire to improve the quality of life and the health of Ile-de-France residents by reducing pollution linked to automobile traffic,” they begin.
The letter notes the “minister’s disagreement” regarding the reduction of the speed from 70 to 50 km/h on the ring road. Anne Hidalgo “regrets it (…) but will implement the measure on October 1,” they continue.
“A decision that legally falls to the Mayor”
“The minister regrets this decision which will affect millions of Ile-de-France residents” as well as the absence of an impact study. But, “respectful of the autonomy of local authorities”, he knows that “this decision legally rests solely with the mayor of Paris”. He calls for “a more collaborative and balanced approach” on the next decisions to be taken regarding the ring road.
Both nevertheless agreed on a “monitoring of the measure associating the Ministry of Transport, the City of Paris and the Île-de-France region”, the full report of which must be presented “in a year”. Until then, the ring road will increase to 50 km/h from next Tuesday. At least gradually.
This little revolution will indeed take place in portions. Because around 160 traffic signs must be installed. To do this, the City plans “six nights of closure”, section by section. The closure of each zone will take place between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m., to reopen to traffic between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m. the following morning.
Reserved lane, ZTL, Bercy bus station…
The discussion between the minister, president of the Essonne departmental council, and the mayor of Paris also focused on the lanes reserved on the ring road – for carpooling, public transport, taxis, health and emergency vehicles. and people with disabilities – on which they plan to work cooperatively. In particular, specifies the press release, “for the junctions with the projects carried out by the State on the A1 and the A13, as well as those concerning the ring road, and on a common implementation schedule at the beginning of 2025.”
On the limited traffic zone planned for this fall in the historic heart of the capital, Anne Hidalgo and François Durovray agreed to “together ensure the good circulation of public transport in and around the zone” once it has been completed. in place.
Finally, the two protagonists also met on the subject of the Paris Bercy bus station, closed by the City. Aware of the need for such equipment, they assure that “a reflection is underway to find the place to install it” within the framework of a working group led by the ministry.
