Speed limits are being dropped by 10 mph on some stretches of Dutch motorway in an attempt to improve air quality and reduce noise.

Cutting speeds from 60mph to 50mph has been proved to reduce nitrous oxide pollution by about 25% and particulates by even more.

The Dutch Government has also announced plans to pay some car owners £3 a day to leave their cars at home during the morning rush hour.

Two trials will take place in 2006, one near Amsterdam and one near The Hague.

In neighbouring Belgium, Flanders transport minister Kathleen van Brempt is calling for a 50mph speed limit on lorries and vans, as a way of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 15%

Information from the European Federation for Transport and Environment.