The speed limit intervention introduced on Saturday in an effort to bring down concentrations of particulate matter in Brussels will be lifted tonight, the Interregional Cell for the Environment (IRCEL) announced.
The measure was introduced as pollution reached harmful levels, largely down to the fact that emissions released by central heaters are at a high due to the sub-zero conditions. Combined with emissions from motorised vehicles, particulate matter has built up following consecutive days of little wind to disperse the pollution.
In a bid to reduce the number of drivers in the capital, the Brussels public transport operator STIB made public transport free on Saturday; a speed limit of 50 kph was introduced on faster roads that normally would permit vehicles to drive at 70 or 90 kph.
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Despite the speed limit being relaxed in Brussels, pollution warnings issued by IRCEL remain in place in all regions. Since last Thursday, increased concentrations of particulate matter in the air have been measured across the country.
With winds forecast to rise tomorrow and banks of rain reaching some parts of the country in the evening, air quality will gradually improve. IRCEL therefore decided to lift the intervention phase during Saturday night.
