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Cities Expand Low-Emission Zones: Oviedo OKs 2026 Rollout, Ourense Activates, Madrid Fines Hit Record Pace

Fresh rollouts plus sanction tallies revive questions over deterrence versus revenue.

Overview

  • Oviedo’s council definitively approved its Mobility and Traffic Ordinance, setting a first ZBE phase for January 1, 2026, with votes from PP, IU and an unaffiliated councillor, PSOE abstaining and Vox opposed.
  • Ourense brought its ZBE into force on December 26 in a phase 1 that launched without signage or a dedicated information office, with a grace period until July 1 before camera-based sanctions begin.
  • The Ourense plan foresees 28 fixed cameras for enforcement and wide exemptions for residents, garage users and certain authorized visitors, while local police handle the initial rollout.
  • In Madrid, specialist firm Dvuelta estimates roughly €423 million in 2025 traffic-fine revenue, extrapolating from official January–July collections of €191.3 million that already exceeded 2024’s first-half take.
  • An AEA report counted 265,115 fines and €52.2 million on the M‑30 between January and July, fueling criticism over confusing signage and dense camera networks as Oviedo’s debate featured sharp IU–Vox clashes.