Since Monday, Doctor Robert street in Reus has implemented a new mobility measure restricting general vehicle circulation through automatic bollards. This action, announced months ago by the City Council, follows the registration of an average of over 10,400 daily vehicles, with peaks of up to 800 per hour on this axis.
Initial drivers have expressed confusion about the change, causing queues on nearby streets such as Roser street. The regulation stipulates that access will be free between 2:00 AM and 11:00 AM, while from 11:00 AM to 2:00 AM only authorized vehicles will be allowed to circulate.
The Guardia Urbana de Reus has deployed officers to assist drivers during the initial days, resolving doubts and incidents. Automatic access is planned for vehicles of residents registered in the area who pay their vehicle tax in Reus, as well as for taxis, public service vehicles, emergency vehicles, and medical services. The council has already processed over 1,000 access permits.
Residents with vehicles taxed outside Reus, parking owners in the area, relatives of elderly residents, and vehicles linked to economic activities in the vicinity will need to obtain a long-term permit. Temporary permits are also available for hotel and tourist accommodation clients, as well as for specific cases related to construction work.
The City Council argues that the measure aims to reduce through traffic, as many vehicles use Doctor Robert street to cross the city, avoiding the outer ring roads. Councilor Dolors Vázquez has indicated that the regulation does not constitute a closure of the center, but rather a 'pacification of the area'.
Among residents and shopkeepers, opinions are divided. Some welcome the calming of traffic, the reduction of through traffic, and the improved pedestrian safety. However, there is concern about the potential concentration of vehicles on other routes, such as Riera de Miró, and the negative impact that difficulty accessing by car might have on local businesses.
