The warning from Mayor Jaume Collboni’s government to restrict access to the center of Barcelona by private vehicle in case of collapse during these important holidays is unleashing deep unrest among the main axes of the city.
The merchants, especially those in the center, regret that this Monday the deputy mayor of Security, the socialist Albert Batlle, in the presentation of the mobility and security device typical of these important dates, advised citizens not to use the private vehicle when approaching the center, there is a possibility that you will encounter an agent from the Urban Police who will prevent your passage, and if the parking lots are filled more than necessary, the municipal police will take measures to prevent the complicated situations experienced in the area just a couple of weeks ago.
Then, the coincidence of the demonstration against sexist violence and one of the most important afternoons of Black Friday forced a few streets in the center to be closed. Other demonstrations also caused mobility problems several weeks ago.
So yesterday the merchants of Barcelona Oberta, from the entity that brings together the most visited commercial hubs in the city, wrote a letter to Deputy Mayor Batlle to make their discomfort clear.
“The fact that this mobility device has been announced in case the center collapses – can be read in the letter in question – discourages people from coming to Barcelona, ??especially visitors from outside. In addition, Barcelona has an extensive parking network sufficient to accommodate buyers from the metropolitan area who want to access it by car so they can carry their purchases more comfortably. We understand the convenience of residents’ use of public transportation, but we consider that this announcement generates unnecessary and counterproductive alarm for the most anticipated commercial campaign of the year.” Because for many shops, bars and restaurants, the Christmas holidays account for 30% of the entire year’s turnover.
Furthermore, Gabriel Jené, president of Barcelona Oberta, states that these types of approaches only generate unrest among citizens and that they in no way adjust to reality.
“The center of Barcelona has a completely sufficient parking network,” continues the spokesperson for the main commercial hubs. In fact, in recent times it is not used as much as in the past. For some time now, fewer cars have been coming to the center of Barcelona than before. The mobility problems suffered by the center derive mainly from the maintenance of certain tactical urban planning measures, such as the turns that occur on Gran Via and Diagonal Avenue… and also from other situations, such as the one experienced a couple of years ago. weekends. “If the route of the march had been different, those mobility problems would not have occurred.”
