This French Life

Speed limit may be cut to 80 km/h on many French roads

A REDUCTION in the speed limit from 90 km/h to 80 km/h on routes départementales in France could be introduced early next year.

Le Point reports that the speed limit reduction would apply to roads with no physical central barrier to split the traffic, meaning the vast majority of roads will be affected.

Whilst nothing has been confirmed by the government, it is hoped that the new 80 km/h limit would reduce accidents and cut down on pollution, but also promote more fluid traffic, reducing jams and tailbacks.

The motorist association 40 millions d'automobilistes has criticised the proposal saying no real evidence has been produced to show a reduction in the speed limit will reduce the accident rate.

The association say that all it will do is confuse drivers and mean more of them are caught by speed cameras, helping to boost public finances.

40 millions d'automobilistes has launched an online petition against the plan.

Crit'Air anti-pollution stickers launched in Toulouse

MOTORISTS in Toulouse will have to display a Crit'Air sticker on their windscreen from today, November 27, in the fight against air pollution in major cities.

Toulouse joins five other cities Paris, Lille, Lyon, Grenoble and Strasbourg in requiring drivers to buy online a sticker that will enable them to drive in areas.

Drivers on the interior roads of Toulouse will have to display a sticker

The Crit'Air stickers come in six colours that denote how heavily polluting the vehicle is according to its Euro emissions standard, ranging from green (Crit’Air 1, electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles) for the cleanest, to dark grey/black (Crit’Air 6 mostly older, diesel cars) for the dirtiest.

Toulouse has recently introduced temporary speed restrictions on roads in the Haute-Garonne following rising pollution levels especially in when the weather is calm and still.

Both French and foreign drivers need to display a Crit'Air sticker and despite the application being possible online, it can still take 30 days for the postage of the sticker itself.

Although on completion of the online application an email is sent directly to you confirming you are covered and asks you to keep the print off in your car until the sticker itself arrives.

Fines of between €68 and €135 are in place for vehicles that don't display an appropriate sticker and/or for those vehicles that are driven in set zones when they shouldn't.

SNCF to drop TGV name and replace it with inOui

WHENEVER I think of the French rail system I think about the TGV, but that name is set to be railroaded into the sidings following a re-branding exercise from SNCF.

The railway operator has announced that TGV services will now be named inOui, with bosses claiming it will offer a top quality service without pushing up prices.

It has been launched to provide an alternative to the low cost, Ouigo service, with inOui promising new TGV trains on some services, refitted carriages, more space and reliable wifi services for passengers.

Also the well-known Voyages SNCF website is to be caught up in the revamp, with it set to receive a new name oui.sncf.

The first inOui trains will operate from July 2 on the new high speed service between Paris and Bordeaux.

Walkers stride out, as engines rattle, at the journée champêtre in Loubéjac

WALKERS took to the paths, farm engines rattled and whirled, plates were loaded with food and cups topped off with wine, while the sun shone down on the journée champêtre in Loubéjac.

An early morning start saw walkers head out from beneath the church on pathways dotted with orchids, tall daisies and the occasional sign of deer and badgers.

The morning also saw a posse of classic cars zip along the lanes to Villefranche-du-Périgord, where they were greeted with a vin d'honneur and the chance to tour around the village.

Back in Loubéjac the tractors and farm machinery cleared their valves as their owners got the old threshing machine working, the water pump going round and round and one or two taken on a short trip on the tractors.

By the end of the day, and under a clear blue sky, the journée champêtre in Loubéjac came to a close as the old engines cooled down and the visitors enjoyed a refreshing beer at the buvette.

Manchester to Bergerac flights from Jet2.com set for summer 2018

A NEW service between Manchester and Bergerac airport will start in the summer of 2018, operated by Jet2.com.

A regular Saturday service will available for travellers between 26 May and 22 September, 2018.

Flight times are set to be, departing Manchester at 7h25 to land in Bergerac at 10h25, while the return flight will head out of the Dordogne at 11h10 to get back into Manchester at 12h10.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2.com and Jet2holidays said: "We are delighted to be giving direct access to the famous Dordogne region and I am confident that the appeal of this stunning destination, in addition to our award-winning service, will make the route extremely popular."

Traffic fines in France could follow British drivers back home

BRITISH drivers in France, and elsewhere in Europe, face the risk of fines following them back home should they be caught undertaking certain driving offences.

New EU rules are set to come into force from 6 May that provides European authorities with the power to chase British motorists for fines by obtaining their driver details from the DVLA.

The UK had been given a two-year exemption from the rules but had to introduce them by this spring, now they are set to be enforced and cover specific, road safety-related offences:

- Speeding
- Drink/drug driving
- No seatbelt/crash helmet
- Red light/forbidden lane, and
- Mobile phone offences

The new regulation (SI 2017/554) requires the DVLA to provide details of the registered keeper/owner at the time of the alleged traffic offence if the authorities in another EU country contact DVLA within 12 months of the date of the alleged offence.

Car parking bays at Bergerac Airport to be covered by solar panels

DURING the quieter winter months Bergerac Airport has been building a covered car parking area, and on top of it has been placed a large number of solar panels.

The promotions team at Bergerac Airport has taken a photograph of the panels across the parking bays and there is likely to be an official announcement in the coming weeks before the summer holiday season takes off.

Map of summer 2017 flights from UK to Bergerac Airport

A MAP of the summer 2017 flight destinations from Bergerac Airport has been published.

Regular flights to the Dordogne for the summer holiday period will be available from many cities in the UK, operated by Ryanair, Flybe, Jet2 and British Airways (infilled circles mark services).

Flights to Bruxelles-Charleroi and Amsterdam will also be available.

Watch out on the roads after series of accidents

DRIVERS are being warned to take care on the roads during autumn, after a series of accidents in recent days in the Dordogne.

Sud Ouest reports on a number of accidents where vehicles have slid off the road due to surface water.

There is also the risk of petrol and diesel being on the road, especially after short downpours that bring it to the road surface and which is very difficult to see.

The Dordogne préfecture has posted a notice to its Facebook page about being aware in the autumn offering up advice about fog, the risks of wild animals on the roads and ensuring your car is prepared and safe to drive.

Another record breaking month for Bergerac Airport

SEPTEMBER has proven to be a busy month for Bergerac Airport with 37,661 passengers, the fourth consecutive month of record numbers.

Summer 2016 was up 12% compared to last year, while in August the all time monthly record was beaten with 56,400 passengers.

Bergerac Airport has announced its winter 2016 - 2017 routes, offering up flights to four regular destinations as well as additional services over the Christmas period