Milan to impose "pollution charge" on cars

MILAN (Reuters) - Milan will impose a "pollution charge" on vehicles entering its historic centre to try to halve exhaust emissions, the mayor's office said on its Web site.

The 10-euro ($14) daily charge will be aimed at the 89,000 vehicles which enter the centre during weekday daytime hours.

"Today we have approved an important measure for the protection of the environment and citizens' health," Mayor Letizia Moratti said.

The charge was approved by city council leaders on Friday and will be carried out on a trial basis for a year. Corriere della Sera newspaper quoted Moratti as saying the measures could start later this year.