L'Ametlla de Mar activates summer blue zone parking to improve accessibility

The regulation, in effect from June 15 to September 15, maintains last year's rates and aims to encourage vehicle turnover.

Generic image of blue zone parking signs on a Mediterranean town street.
IA

Generic image of blue zone parking signs on a Mediterranean town street.

The L'Ametlla de Mar City Council has implemented blue zone parking regulations for the summer season, effective from June 15 to September 15, aiming to enhance mobility and parking access.

This measure, now in its second season, addresses issues such as parking difficulties for residents, prolonged occupation of spaces by stationary vehicles, and the need to promote the use of free park-and-ride facilities to encourage pedestrian traffic in the town center.
Parking fees for the blue zone remain unchanged from the previous year. Residents registered and paying municipal vehicle tax can obtain a three-month pass for five euros. For property owners in the town who do not pay vehicle tax, the annual fee is set at 50 euros, limited to one vehicle per household.
The municipal ordinance also includes special rates for registered tenants with at least one year of residency, companies with fiscal domicile in the town, and employees of local businesses, who will pay 30 euros.
The council emphasizes that the primary objective of this regulation is traffic management, not revenue generation. Signage has been improved with new information panels, and an information point has been established at the Citizen Attention Office to address queries regarding permits.
The management of fines is now handled by the Provincial Council of Tarragona. The municipality has approximately 1,200 regulated parking spaces. Last year, around 3,500 users subscribed to the service, with 70% of available spaces occupied by local residents and permit holders, while the remaining 30% allowed for an average vehicle rotation of 95 minutes for visitors.
Revenue from discounts and ticket sales last season amounted to 142,035.38 euros. These funds, after covering maintenance costs, are reinvested in public space improvements, such as repainting pedestrian crossings, creating disabled parking spots, and installing speed bumps. This initiative is part of a broader strategy that includes expanding free parking areas on the outskirts, like the one at Pixavaques, and the upcoming completion of the major access parking facility, funded by Next Generation funds.