An updated regulated parking scheme has been launched on calle Ramón Gallud in central Torrevieja. Parking is now controlled from 09:00 to 17:00 on weekdays, with a maximum stay of two hours. The enforcement is being carried out using automated number plate recognition technology operated by the Local Police.
The latest evolution of this scheme has been introduced by the council to improve traffic flow and access to shops and services, aims to increase the turnover of available spaces. It follows recent changes to road layouts and the redevelopment of the port area, where approximately 400 parking spaces were lost. In the press release about this scheme they clearly forgot already that the officials from the town hall, including the mayor, were all present at the opening of the new car park at the port, where 640 parking spaces were launched in April of this year.
By regulating parking on nearby streets, they say, the city hopes to mitigate the impact of these losses, again, forgetting they have already replaced those, although it would have been more realistic to mention that Torrevieja is a town where there were always constant complaints about the lack of parking, where one of the bus stations was closed, and where the bus service is still awaiting improvements, years overdue, not to mention to lack still of the mandatory low emissions zone, which was intended to run on this street in the original, and now also forgotten plans, thus replaced by parking which is proven to be more damaging to the air and the environment, taking a backward step, therefore.
Anyway, back to this week, from Monday, 7 July, parking outside of permitted hours will no longer be allowed, and penalties will be issued for vehicles found in breach of the rules. Signage has been installed to inform drivers of the changes, and officers will begin full enforcement next week.
This measure claims to support local businesses by ensuring a regular flow of short-term parking spaces, while also reducing congestion in one of the town’s busiest zones, by removing a live lane of moving traffic and reducing it to 1 lane, and only allowing parking during the busiest time of day!
Drivers are advised to check posted signs and adjust their parking habits accordingly, although, in reality, the best advice is just forget it, because normally cars just drive around the blocks several times trying to find a space, eventually giving up. Top tip, just try and use the actual car park instead.
