Didier Laguerre, mayor of Fort-de-France, signed on Monday, October 8, 2018, the city’s commitment to the implementation of Low-Emission Zones ((ZFE), in the presence of the Ministerthe Minister for Ecological and Solidarity Transition and the Minister in charge of Transportation.
In urban areas, these Low-Emission Zones (LEZs) make it possible to gradually rethink mobility solutions to significantly improve air quality.
Martinique, and particularly Fort-de-France, is particularly vulnerable to fine particulate matter emitted by vehicle traffic, combined with sand dust from the Sahara Desert.
In recent weeks, we have repeatedly seen pollution levels spike to very high levels. It had become urgent for the city to take action. Fort-de-France is currently the only local government in the overseas territories to have taken this step.
The philosophy behind the Fort-de-France Low-Emission Zone (LEZ) project will be based on two pillars:
·The designation of pedestrian zones combined with parking spaces reserved exclusively for electric or hybrid vehicles;
·Restrictions on the use of vehicles that emit the most air pollutants.
A study will be launched shortly in response to ADEME’s call for proposals to better understand the source of these emissions and develop appropriate solutions.
Didier Laguerre also hopes that the fleet of commercial vehicles owned by public institutions and their contractors based in Fort-de-France (local governments, state agencies, EPCIs, etc.) will consist of clean vehicles in the medium term.
The mayor requested and obtained from the Minister the establishment of a government incentive program to set up a network of charging stations powered by solar photovoltaic energy, as well as to replace vehicle fleets.
