Chamonix's Mayor Speaks Out Over Pollution Levels in the Valley
Eric Fournier speaks to French TV about ongoing pollution in the Chamonix Valley
Pollution levels in the Arve and Chamonix Valleys are getting worse year after year. In our iconic mountain town the air quality is often so bad that children and the elderly are advised to stay indoors. It's not what you'd expect in such a beautiful place is it??
A number of campaigns and protests have taken place over the last few years, and most recently Eric Fournier has addressed the issue on French TV.
Transcription of the video:
"A bit of anger and a lot of determination! A bit of anger: because we shouldn’t be in this situation after years and years of warning. Chamonix is often named, but the whole Arve valley, and all the Alpine valleys are impacted by this scourge. A lot of determination: we implement strong measures and we ask for a speeding up of the implementation of the measures, in order to get out of this situation and show that it is not a fatality.
"The sub-prefect of Bonneville talks about “feebleness”, “priority to the tourism industry”, “taboo”…
There is no taboo! When you are in a critical situation, you have to tackle it with frankness, humility and determination. We know how we can act. The Alpine valleys are quite “closed”, we have to reduce the production of pollutants.
"There are 2 main pollutant producers: housing and transport. We know what to do, we just need to accelerate the measures. Currently, we implement the measure of the PPA (Plan pour la protection de l’Atmosphère), but it is not enough. We need to go further: Energetic renovation of buildings, Public transport (free in the Chamonix Valley), Ban on circulation of HGV when pollution levels peak. We have the means to change things within a few years and to regain a good air quality in our alpine valleys.
"We need to act quickly. The awareness is general. Chamonix gets a lot of media attention but all the mayors of the region are on the same wavelength."
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Between 1999 and 2002 when the Mont Blanc tunnel was closed after the fire there was an improvement in air quality. Complaints from asthma suffers and other breathing ailments decreased, wild flowers that hadn't been see in the valley for years re-emerged.. and it was no coincidence.
The pollution here in the Arve Valley is reaching chronic levels, and something needs to be done to make a change. Restricting access to the Tunnel for certain types of vehicles is one thing, but it's in reaction to pollution levels being high, and doesn't prevent it happening in the first place.
If you're concerned about the situation and want to add your voice to the growing number of people taking action, please sign the petition and support Inspire, who are the main local group campaigning for better air quality.
And if you're thinking of setting off any fireworks at the moment, don't it's banned at the moment, as one of the ski schools found out last week when they got into trouble..
