Private vehicles are systematically ignoring a driving ban in Alicante Town Hall square, six months after it was closed to non-essential traffic. The square has been closed to private cars since last November, and following a complete closure during the Christmas holidays, it reopened on 7th January exclusively for public buses and taxis.
Despite signs, vertical signals, and fencing, private drivers continue to enter the restricted area. Local police officers are forced to write down registration plates by hand with a notebook and pen because video surveillance cameras have not yet been installed, despite warning signs claiming they are in operation. Officers are issuing an average of 15 fines every day, with peak days reaching up to 35 citations.
Meanwhile, the pedestrianisation project is moving forward. Last May, the local government, led by Mayor Luis Barcala, awarded two contracts for preliminary studies. A-Ingeniería Research and Consulting was awarded a contract worth 48,937.72 euro to study the layout of the works and their impact on the surrounding area. Ingartek Consulting SL received a contract worth 66,550 euro to handle technical assistance for changing public transport routes, as buses will eventually be removed from the area entirely. The companies have four and three months respectively to submit their reports.
The local government has yet to resolve several issues, including the future of the pavement fountain built in 2009, which has been broken for years. It is also unclear whether the project will lead to the elimination of bus traffic along the Rambla.
The pedestrianisation was originally announced after rubble fell from the Town Hall facade, prompting a temporary traffic closure. While Mayor Barcala initially criticised the use of temporary planters, he ultimately used them during the Christmas holidays. The project was originally scheduled for completion before the 2026 Bonfires, but following delays, the new timeline estimates completion by 2027.
The municipality is also under pressure to speed up the rehabilitation of the Town Hall towers to avoid losing a 200,000 euro subsidy from the Valencian Regional Government. The Regional Ministry of Culture granted the funds to repair the historic building after a cornice collapsed in November 2024. However, the regional grant requires the work to be finished before November, which appears unlikely as the contract specifies an eight-month execution period and the bidding process has not yet started. Regional officials say they are aware of the situation and will attempt to shorten the timeframe.
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