Paris speeds cut but no car ban yet

SPEED limits on motorways in Paris have been cut by 20kph today as city officials attempt to tackle the latest in a series of pollution peaks.

Factories have been told to reduce their production levels and the 20kph cut applies to all roads in the Ile-de-France region where the limit is normally 90kph or higher.

PM10 particle levels have exceeded the safe maximum for two consecutive days. Air quality body Airparif will give an update this afternoon - the results of which could determine whether further measures will be taken such as a partial ban on vehicles or free public transport.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo is campaigning for more measures to be available during pollution peaks - such as a ban on heavy goods vehicles crossing the Paris region.

Former ecology minister Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet has also called for public transport to be made free as quickly as possible to help get more cars off the streets.

The current ecology minister Ségolène Royal has been criticised for not acting fast enough to impose vehicle bans during the pollution peak.

In an interview with Le Parisien, she said cars were not the only source of pollution and a temporary ban - with alternate driving days based on number plates - had to be "justified and well prepared".

She said she wanted all buses and taxis in French towns and cities to be electric within five years.