An unexpected change of direction
Recently, the works on Santa Clara de Vilafranca Street have led to an intense debate between the different municipal groups, who have expressed their dissatisfaction with the management of the governing body. Mayor Francisco Romero has defended the works as measures to maintain and improve the sidewalk, but the decision to maintain the two -way of the road has generated a climate of controversy.
An ambitious initial plan
Initially, the City Council had considered the implementation of a unique sense of circulation, aligning with the recommendations of the Urban Mobility Plan. This plan seeks to promote unidirectionality in the streets for better traffic fluidity. However, the strategy has changed, and now bidirectionality is again the norm.
Factors that have influenced the decision
According to the City Council, the reason for this turn is in the need to first solve mobility problems on other streets with high vehicle density, such as those of the Cid and Dos de Maig. In addition, we want to stabilize the modifications around schools before making significant changes.
Opposition reactions
Opposition groups have not taken the decision to criticize. ERC emphasized the lack of consistency in the works, accusing the governing body of not following the recommendations of municipal technicians. The training has called for more transparency and details on the study that justifies the change of direction.
Alternative proposals
Together, it has questioned the lack of substantial improvements in the pavement and expressed concern about the removal of trees and parking spaces. They believe that these decisions do not reflect a priority for parking in the city center.
A lost vision about sustainable mobility
The municipal groups CUP and Vilafranca en Comú have emphasized the lost opportunity to transform Vilafranca into a more ecological and focused city on people. They criticize that the works have not helped to create bike lanes or to increase the trees, aspects that they consider to be fundamental to a more sustainable city.
An uncertain future for mobility in Vilafranca
With this situation, the intervention on Santa Clara Street becomes an example of the tensions that exist between traffic needs and aspirations for sustainable mobility. Civil society and political groups will continue to monitor the evolution of these works and their ability to influence the quality of life of the Vilafranca.
