Palma set to back Menorca car cap plan

A vote in Palma, Mallorca, next Tuesday is expected to clear the way for limits on vehicles entering Menorca. The proposal, put forward by the Island Council of Menorca, is likely to win support from the PP, PSIB, MÉS per Mallorca, Més per Menorca and Unidas Podemos.

Europa Press

The planned car cap comes after complaints that Menorca has become choked by traffic. Més per Menorca MP Josep Castells said a permanent line of cars on the main road was harming both safety and the quality of life of Menorcans.

Support for a law opponents say is late

Castells will vote for the measure in Parliament despite calling it a delaying tactic by the PP. He said his party had opposed it at the Island Council of Menorca because the restriction could already have been introduced through the biosphere reserve law.

This time, Més per Menorca does not want the council to use a late law as a reason for failing to act. Castells called for the bill to move as quickly as possible and warned that a car limit set too high would do nothing to ease the pressure.

PSIB also says Menorca is late to the measure, arguing that the island has gone from leading on sustainability to being the last island to introduce this kind of rule. The Socialists want it in place in 2027, cutting vehicle entries by 15 per cent.

Details still need to be written

Unidas Podemos will also back the bill. Its MP José María García said the rules needed to put the cap into practice still have to be drawn up.

The same parliamentary sitting will also consider a PP proposal to renew the Special Regime for the Balearic Islands, which covers areas including transport, trade and possible funding for housing projects. Més per Menorca is also due to question Tourism, Culture and Sports Minister Jaume Bauzà over the regional government's tourism policies after this summer's protests.

15% car cut: Palma set to back Menorca car cap

Support for a law opponents say is late

Details still need to be written