The "Bruxsel’AIR" citizens collective is organising a rally this Monday at 18:00 on Place Saint-Jean in Brussels to denounce the proposed postponement of the next phase of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ), as announced in a press release.
At the beginning of September, the French-speaking parties negotiating to form a government in Brussels – the Socialist Party (PS), Les Engagés, and MR – agreed to postpone the next phase of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ). An ordinance to postpone the application of the next phase by two years is being planned by the three parties. The new measures would therefore not come into force until 1 January 2027.
‘This U-turn is not only a betrayal of the commitments made to improve air quality but also a real danger to public health," said the collective in a statement on Sunday.
"Postponing the LEZ means prolonging avoidable health problems, and therefore condoning the unacceptable", Bruxsel’AIR insists. "Every day the LEZ is postponed, the health of local residents continues to be at risk. And that’s without mentioning the signal sent out to the people who have already made the necessary efforts to adapt to the legislation announced eight years ago, by changing their vehicles or reviewing their modes of transport."
The collective believes that mobility and public health are not irreconcilable issues. It therefore advocates additional support measures "specifically targeted at financially vulnerable people who cannot do without a vehicle."
