On the day that London introduces its Central London congestion charge, European Fleet News warns that car drivers in Paris could face chaos if proposals to ban cars from its city centre get the go-ahead.

The proposals come from Paris mayor Bertrand Delanoe – described as a ‘car hater’ – who last year transformed a major route usually busy with cars into a temporary beach resort. The expressway along the right bank of the River Seine was closed and artificial beaches were created at what was called Paris-Plage.

European Fleet News says that in his latest plans, the mayor wants to have two open-air swimming pools built floating on the Seine and replace riverside roads with footpaths, cycle paths and parks. The aim of reducing the number of vehicles allowed into the city centre is to allow pedestrians and cyclists to move more freely.