Pompiers will not need to pay péage

EMERGENCY service vehicles are to be given free passage on French motorways when travelling to emergencies after MPs agreed the measure as part of the 2018 budget.

The vote came as forest fires were being fought on many parts of the Mediterranean and was promoted by Alpes-Maritimes MP Eric Ciotti. He said it was “amoral” that pompiers had to pay tolls when heading to save lives.

Previously, pompiers and others were only given free autoroute access if attending an incident on the motorway itself.

The government will now negotiate the free travel with autoroute companies – which are thought to make more than 20% profit on the roads, totalling about €1.5billion a year.