It has been required since January 1 this year, but to date, none of the eight municipalities in the province of Alicante that have to implement low emission zones (ZBE) have done so. The real reason? Fear of different ruling political entities being punished in next Sunday’s elections. And it is that policies on mobility are surrounded by controversy, as confirmed by the measures implemented in some populations in terms of pedestrianization or bike lanes, which met a strong response from different groups. Experts also point out that These policies are used by opposition parties, especially rightists, as a battering ram to wear down the enemy..
The implementation of low emission zones is a requirement of the European Union (EU) for all cities with a population of more than 50,000 and its aim is to improve air quality and contribute to the fight against climate change through a series of measures. Parking Restrictions. In the provincial example, Alicante, Elche, Torrevieja, Orihuela, Benidorm, San Vicente del Raspeig, Alcoy and Elda are municipalities affected by this requirement.but so far none have implemented it.
However, this great dissonance is not limited to the Alicante region, because Out of a total of 149 cities mandated by law, only twenty cities in the whole of Spain started the year with a mechanism that included traffic restrictions. that the central government requires it to be operational by early 2023. Municipalities that started the year with low emission zones include Madrid and Barcelona.
In the case of Alicante, its ZBE is expected to include traffic restrictions to seek more sustainable mobility around the two rings; one is the outer ring defined by Gran Via, and the other is the inner ring containing the urban area called the Traditional Centre, and this includes the historic centre. Elche, on the other hand, plans to expand the restriction area on vehicles to an area of 536 hectares in the center, El Pla, Altabix and El Raval.
But, These are the plans on paper because they are currently awaiting applications.. Beyond the wide room for maneuver requested by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FEMP) for delaying the approval of the decree law, one of the main reasons was the proximity of the municipal elections.
argument
And no one can escape it policies on mobility spark controversy where they are implemented. In the state’s capital, for example, the municipal government faced opposition from residents of Raval Roig to the pedestrianization of Calle Virgen del Socorro on the grounds that it had multiple garages. In Elche, there are local criticisms of the elimination of parking spaces in other proposed lanes, as well as the circulation problems created by the bike lane from General Hospital to Pedro Juan Perpiñán street. The Alcoy municipal government is also enduring accusations of the recent pedestrianization of several streets in the old town, as well as the bike path currently under construction between the city center and the Northern Territory.
Therefore, in light of all this, it is not surprising that the municipal authorities of different city councils have decided to delay the implementation of low emission zones. Fear that it could have a negative impact on election prospects.
A postponement supported not only by the response it would get from residents or groups such as traders, but also by opposition parties benefiting from these discussions. Carlos Gómez Gil, sociologist and professor at the University of Alicante (UA), is not shy to point out that the right-hand side of mobility issues is used as a ram. In his words, “Vox has made this one of its red lines in its denial stance on climate change.. The problem is that the PP has to come to terms with some postulates of the extreme right to the extent that it is in power with this formation.”
And he cites Alicante as an example, where “Mayor Barcala hid the low emissions zone in a drawer because he didn’t want to explore his strategy in the face of what might happen.”
Gómez Gil also said, Mobility is part of the same package as taxes, health or water, within the right’s strategy of political confrontation.with. “We see how the role of taxation is denied when public services need to be maintained, or how water is demanded when it is not raining. In this regard, the far right has turned the 2030 Agenda and sustainable development measures into its own evil, turning common sense issues into confrontational issues.
And it goes even further, pointing out that given the urgent need to reduce CO2 emissions, there is an instinctive vote without analyzing some of the measures that are mandatory on the part of the EU. “Scientific evidence is denied,” he stresses.
With all this, the UA professor was not surprised that the political groups in power “do not want to get in trouble before the elections, because A poisoned subject and they are afraid of breaking at the ballot box».
Gómez Gil likewise regrets that “the pedagogy does not end with these problems and they are dealt with with explosion and scientific denial”. The expert admits that such a policy touches the veins of the people, “But it’s not about banning day-to-day, it’s about planning and offering alternatives to citizens. We must leave room for social pedagogy.
Acceleration
That’s where Armando Ortuño, professor of Region, Transport and Environment in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Alicante comes in, remembering that policies to improve air quality and reduce both noise and accidents were born 30 years ago. and slow progress has been made since then. with everything, The implementation of low-emission zones, currently required by the European Union, “we’re putting our feet on the accelerator,” he stresses.. It cost us a little bit and the city councils were lazy for fear that society wouldn’t take it on, but it’s an unstoppable road of no return ».
And in this sense, it makes clear that nothing new should be invented. “After all, the measures are as always: strengthen public transport, have a good network of bike paths and carry out a good design of urban infrastructure.” He also agrees with Gómez Gil. we must act on the basis of pedagogy and dialogue with neighbors. In his words, “pedestrianizations have been shown to stimulate trade and are compatible with loading and unloading. Staff can also be deployed to allow the passage of residents. “There is no excuse not to move forward today,” he says of Armando Ortuño.
However, most of the political formations, claiming that they are the municipal power, pass these issues around in their election programs with their fingertips. Yes, Vox is strong and confirms that it will repeal low emission zones. Thinking they would “only bring destruction and misery to small businesses and hotels”, he also noted that bike lanes would be activated “where they do not harm the movement of vehicles and pedestrians”. On the contrary, both Compromís and Unides Podem point in the opposite direction. Supporters of Valencia reiterate their commitment to pedestrianization and promotion of cycling in centers and old towns, citing as an example what has been done in cities such as Valencia or Elche, while purple ones advocate its development and implementation. Sustainable urban mobility in municipalities with more than 20,000 inhabitants
PSPV is committed to public transportWith the expansion of the TRAM lines between Orihuela and Torrevieja and between this municipality and the airport, The PP proposes the integration of mobility schemes and means of transport. also in towns with more than 20,000 residents. Ciudadanos finally puts emphasis on park-and-go park close to major cities.