BHDN - LAND USE PLANNING - TRANSPORTATION - INT'L AUTO ISSUES
From www.enn.com
Cars banned in smog-bound northern Italy
Authorities in Italy's northern Lombardy region urged drivers to leave their cars at home for three days in an attempt to cut soaring pollution made worse by dry, cold weather. http://enn.com/news/wire-stories/2002/01/01222002/reu_46196.asp
Tuesday, January 22, 2002
By Reuters
MILAN, Italy -- Authorities in Italy's northern Lombardy region urged drivers to leave their cars at home for three days in an attempt to cut soaring pollution made worse by dry, cold weather.
Lombardy has already ordered a ban on private vehicle use for 12 hours on Sunday, the third such ban this winter. Regional president, Roberto Formigoni, urged drivers to use other transport on Saturday and Monday as well. "The president would like people to avoid using their cars on these two days too," said a spokesman for the regional government. "Unlike Sunday, this is not obligatory."
Formigoni said later that if the situation did not improve, his administration might order further partial bans during the week and another total traffic block on Friday.
Northern Italy's chronic pollution problems have been compounded this winter by a lack of rain, which washes microscopic particles from the air. Particle levels in Milan this week have soared to five times the permitted maximum, triggering Sunday's vehicle ban.
Similar traffic bans have also been implemented in the south over the past few months.
The unusually dry weather and a cold snap have also damaged crops, reduced water levels in Northern Italy's picturesque lakes, and left ski resorts in the Italian Alps short of snow.
Farmers' association Coldiretti estimated on Saturday that agriculture had suffered damage worth some 25 million euros, with fresh seasonal products the worst hit. Coldiretti asked the government to declare a state of emergency for the worst-hit regions, a measure which would make it easier for them to receive special aid.
The weather service of Italy's air force forecast it would not rain until the middle of next week.
Copyright 2002, Reuters