Palma shops sue over resident-only parking

In Palma, Mallorca, shopkeepers are fighting a plan to turn paid city-centre parking spaces into resident-only bays. Afedeco, the main retailers’ association in the Balearic Islands, says it has filed an administrative court appeal against Palma City Council’s decision. The association announced the challenge on 5 November, after telling mayor Jaime Martínez about it at a meeting.

Europa Press

The plan affects paid spaces in the ORA parking zone, which would become ZAR bays reserved for residents. Afedeco fears that losing spaces used by different drivers will make shops harder for customers to reach. It says any substantial cut should wait until there are enough working alternatives, including park-and-ride sites, public car parks and better public transport.

Afedeco says it is pursuing the court case while seeking changes to the city’s transport plan, the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (PMUS). According to the association, Martínez has accepted its request to look for a solution that meets residents’ needs without cutting access to shops. Its president, Joana Manresa, says the traders want an agreement, not a fight with the council or residents.

The association plans further talks with the council’s mobility department in the coming weeks. It says it will examine alternatives, firm commitments and whether they can work in practice and in law. If the talks produce a legally secure solution, Afedeco will consider what to do about its appeal.

Mallorca: Palma shops sue over resident-only parking