This unexpected turn comes shortly after the Municipal Plenary initially approved starting ZBE sanctions on December 31. With this decision, Santa Coloma becomes the first socialist city council in the first ring of the Barcelona Metropolitan Area (AMB) to implement an exception of this magnitude.
“"We will apply the rule but without jeopardizing the daily lives of some families."
The measure is similar to those already adopted by other municipalities such as Cerdanyola del Vallès, which also established a moratorium for residents until 2028, and Castelldefels, which extended the exemption until 2030. The local administration justifies the decision citing arguments of social justice, the lack of public transport in mountain neighborhoods, and a high proportion of external vehicles in the circulating fleet.
The new approach, motivated by "criteria of proportionality, social equity, and just transition," will be approved in the Municipal Plenary this Thursday, December 18. Although the council estimates that 98% of vehicles already comply with the regulations, the moratorium affects about 1,300 vehicles in the usual circulating fleet.
During the two-year transition, the ZBE will operate with an "informative and pedagogical character for residents" to facilitate progressive adaptation. It should be noted that, in accordance with the applicable Catalan decree, restrictions on vehicles with the B (yellow) label will begin on January 1, 2028, affecting approximately 13,795 vehicles in the city.
