Mont Blanc Tunnel Protesters Gassed

Environmental protesters were reportedly tear-gassed by riot police as they protested against the re-opening of the Mont Blanc tunnel to heavy goods traffic this week.

The tunnel has been closed to traffic for three years while safety improvement were carried out after a disastrous fire and local residents have been campaigning to keep the tunnel closed to HGVs, which cause serious pollution problems in the Chamonix valley.

The tunnel is now open to all classes of goods vehicle following a stepped re-introduction of traffic beginning with cars earlier this year. Local residents' groups however, have vowed to fight on.

For more details see this story on Planet Ark.