About 400 people joined a slow march in Serra de Daró on Sunday to demand safer roads in Baix Ter, travelling along the GI-643 towards Mas Bahí and Gualta. For residents, cyclists and agricultural vehicle drivers, the protest focused on narrow routes without road shoulders, where Prou Excuses says an accident occurs every fortnight.

The demonstration was held as the Generalitat de Catalunya, Catalonia's regional government, announced a road-investment plan of nearly €50 million for the area. The Department of Territory has put the proposed widening of the GI-643 between Parlavà and Serra de Daró out to public consultation.

Protesters seek changes to existing roads

Prou Excuses organised the march with support from around 20 mayors in Baix Empordà. Participants travelled on foot, by bicycle and with tractors from the Serra de Daró roundabout, drawing attention to the mix of local traffic, cycles and agricultural machinery using the same roads.

“The accident rate is unacceptable.”Prou Excuses platform

Francesc Baquer of Prou Excuses said the group is not seeking new roads, but wants existing routes brought into line with safety requirements. He said many are about six metres wide and have no shoulders.

  • Prou Excuses says the required lane width is 3.5 metres.
  • The platform is seeking road shoulders between one metre and 1.5 metres wide.
  • The march followed the GI-643 from Serra de Daró to Mas Bahí, in the direction of Gualta.

GI-643 widening proposal is under public consultation

Glòria Marull, the mayor of Serra de Daró, said the public-consultation stage for the Parlavà to Serra de Daró project was a significant step. The proposal addresses a route identified by protesters as lacking shoulders and carrying damaged sections of asphalt.

Residents seeking updates on the planned works can check the Generalitat press office, where the regional government publishes announcements from the Department of Territory.

Primary sources: Generalitat de Catalunya. Reported by Source Text Link, Lluís Tomàs, Redacció SER, EFE, Aniol Costa-Pau, Llagostera Ràdio, Redacció, apdnoticies.com.

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