Authorities in Hamburg said today they would ban some diesel vehicles from two major arteries to improve air quality, making the German port city the first to take the long-feared step. “Driving limits for older diesel vehicles can now come into force as planned” thanks to a decision by a top court, the city-state’s government said in a statement. A 1,600-metre section of the Stresemannstrasse highway in the Altona district will be closed to older diesel trucks from May 31.
Meanwhile both diesel-powered trucks and cars that do not meet the latest Euro 6 emissions standards will be banned from a 580-metre stretch of another major and heavily polluted road, the Max-Brauer-Allee.
Exemptions will be allowed for local residents and businesses as well as for delivery vehicles, ambulances and rubbish trucks.
