Motorists in Madrid have been hit by a ban on driving in the city, based on whether their number plate is odd or even-numbered, in a bid to cut pollution.

From Thursday, cars with even-numbered registration plates have been banned from entering the city.

If this has not cut the pollution levels sufficiently then on Friday cars with odd-numbered registration plates will be banned.

If motorists ignore the ban, which will be in force between 6.30am and 9pm, then they will be fined €90 (about £77).

Madrid authorities have been battling to reduce pollution, which has been made worse by a prolonged period of hot sunny weather pushing the amount of nitrogen oxide above EU risk levels.


They have tried a temporary parking ban in the city centre for non-residents and reducing the speed limit of the capital's main circular road but pollution has still increased.

Image: Authorities in Madrid enforce the registration plate-based ban

Motorists are waiting to be told if the Friday plan will come into force.

Officials have confirmed that parking restrictions will remain, whether the alternate number plate ban continues or not.

Paz Valiente, a spokesperson for the city council, said: "Every day the city pumps out a great deal of emissions into the atmosphere, but it blows away. The current thermal pressure is impeding that ventilation."

Madrid is the latest in a line of European cities to impose anti-pollution measures on motorists.

Paris has used the number plate system before and is currently offering free residential parking after experiencing some of the worst air pollution on record for the last 10 years.

In 2017, a colour-coded sticker system will be introduced, indicating the age and pollution level of vehicles.

In 2003, London introduced the congestion charge, a portion of revenue from which has been reinvested in the city's public transport infrastructure.