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ARCHIVED - Pay to enter: Valencia considers implementing inner city toll system to reduce traffic
Motorists could be taxed for driving in areas of Valencia city as part of plans to introduce a low-emission zone in 2023
Like many cities in Spain, Valencia plans to implement a low-emission zone by 2023 in line with European guidelines which could have huge implications for motorists with the introduction of a number of traffic restrictions.
However, implementing a low-emission zone with restrictive measures is not the only idea on the table. The Mesura Association, made up of designers, architects and engineers, has proposed the development of an ecopayment that would tax vehicle circulation through the limited zones.
"This option would limit the negative impact of a low-emission zone on the population as it would not restrict access according to the type of vehicle and, therefore, would not force, among other consequences, the purchase of new, more environmentally friendly cars in order to be able to circulate," according to the association.
Mesura defines the ecopayment as an inclusive urban toll system "based on criteria of social and environmental justice" that will improve the control and management of traffic in Valencia.
"This will improve air quality and will bring a multitude of secondary benefits such as the promotion of public transport," added Mesura.
Basically, a tax would be introduced that would have to be paid according to factors such as income, the number of family members, etc., and that would be related to the journey made rather than the type of vehicle driven.
There is also the possibility of opting for flat rates of payment for those workers who, for example, have no choice but to drive through one of the restricted zones.
The ultimate goal of the ecopayment is to reduce road traffic in Valencia, which is one of 100 cities in Spain that the central government has deemed must be totally neutral in terms of polluting emissions by 2030.
This challenge involves reducing traffic by at least 20% and, although it's not possible to ban the use of the most polluting private vehicles, it is possible to discourage their use with this type of green taxation.
Valencia City Council, in collaboration with several environmental groups and associations, has until the end of June to finalise a concrete action plan and the project will be subsidised with Next Generation funds which have already been approved.
Image: Ayuntamiento de Valencia
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