Court strikes down Madrid Central low-emission zone over legal technicalities
A court has cancelled Madrid Central, a low-emissions area introduced in late 2018 to fight pollution in the Spanish capital, alleging legal technicalities.
The Madrid regional high court said on Monday that the local law establishing the traffic restrictions in October 2018 was approved without a proper public disclosure process or an economic impact report.
The ruling is the result of two appeals filed by the conservative Popular Party (PP) while it was in the opposition, as well as a third appeal by a company that helps people fight traffic fines, DVuelta Asistencia Legal.
Environmental groups said they will challenge the court’s decision. If Madrid Central is finally struck down, 815,000 traffic tickets issued between March 2019 and February 2020 would be cancelled, depriving the city of an estimated €36.6 million.
Until March 2019, violators were simply sent letters in a bid to raise awareness about the need to combat air pollution and bring Madrid in line with other European capitals.
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Atlantis Viewpoint
Horrible decision. Only zero emission vehicles should be allowed in the center.
