Champs-Elysees Set For Smog-Free Sundays

The most famous avenue in Paris, the Champs-Elysees, is to be pedestrianised on the first Sunday of every month to try to cut smog levels.

The plan will start on 8 May, with cars excluded from the two-kilometre-long (1.2 miles) boulevard, Paris city hall said.

Museums in the French capital will also be free to the public on that day.

The scheme is not the first time the Champs-Elysees has banned traffic.

It was tried out for the first time in September when large areas of Paris were closed to vehicles.

Pedestrians and cyclists were allowed to take over and it proved hugely popular with the public, who enjoyed less pollution and reduced traffic noise.

City officials also revealed that nine new routes are to be closed to cars every Sunday and public holiday, making 22 routes in total subject to traffic restrictions.

The plans are part of the Paris Respite anti-pollution programme backed by the socialist mayor, Anne Hidalgo, who is determined to cut smog levels.

The picturesque capital is frequently pictured shrouded in smog and the World Health Organisation says fine-particle air pollution accounts for around 42,000 early deaths in France each year.