Residents Seek Second Vote on Municipal Transfer

Residents of Les Botigues, a settlement administratively part of Sitges, are demanding a new local consultation on whether to join the neighbouring municipality of Castelldefels. The push comes from the Federació d'Associacions de Veïns de les Botigues, which argues that daily life, education, healthcare and transport links are more closely tied to Castelldefels than to Sitges. In 2018, a non-binding vote saw 88.18% of participants support a transfer to Castelldefels, but turnout was only 23.7%, below the 35% threshold required for validity. Now, eight years later, the federation says conditions have worsened and insists the issue must be revisited before the current municipal term ends.

Geographic Isolation and Daily Life Challenges

Les Botigues lies 14 kilometres from central Sitges, separated by the Garraf massif, while sharing a direct street-level boundary with Castelldefels. This geographic split shapes residents’ daily routines. According to reports from elNacional.cat and El Periódico, many residents rely on Castelldefels for healthcare, shopping and schooling, despite being registered in Sitges. Public transport links to central Sitges are limited. There is no direct urban bus service, and train travel from Castelldefels Platja station requires paying a fare surcharge for crossing tariff zones. By car, residents must either pay the high toll on the C-32 motorway or navigate the winding Costes del Garraf road.

"Eight years later, we haven’t stayed the same, we’re worse off,"

said Javi Valdés, president of the residents' federation, in an interview with ACN cited by elNacional.cat.

Education and Healthcare Access Issues

Families with school-age children face particular difficulties. While education transport is managed by the Consorci d’Educació del Garraf, municipal sources confirm that some families from Les Botigues enrol their children in schools in Castelldefels to avoid long commutes. Some reportedly change their official residence (empadronament) to gain priority in school admissions. Residents also note they are assigned to a health centre (CAP) in Castelldefels, reinforcing their functional integration with that municipality rather than Sitges.

Unmet Promises and Infrastructure Delays

Local grievances extend beyond mobility. The seaside promenade project in Les Botigues, first announced by the Sitges council in 2019 and budgeted at four million euros, remains incomplete. While the Ajuntament de Castelldefels has issued notices about traffic disruptions due to ongoing works, progress has been slow. Residents also complain of inadequate street and beach cleaning and say public services are delivered on an ad hoc basis rather than through stable plans.

Sitges Council to Review Proposal

The Ajuntament de Sitges has acknowledged the request and says it is open to studying possible routes for a new participatory process. Mayor Aurora Carbonell stated that any such initiative must be conducted with legal guarantees, transparency and rigour, noting that changing municipal boundaries involves coordination with multiple administrations, including the Generalitat. The council says it has already raised concerns about Garraf tunnel tolls with the regional government and advocates for free access to ease mobility. A formal motion calling for a new consultation will be presented at the next full council meeting by councillor Elena Alonso, who is not affiliated with any political group.

Castelldefels Open to Integration

Castelldefels mayor Manu Reyes has expressed support for the possibility of annexation, stating his administration would back the process if formally proposed. No timeline has been set for the council debate, but residents insist the matter cannot wait.

"If we don’t act now, Les Botigues will be forgotten,"

warned federation leaders, calling for urgent political action.

Primary sources: territori.gencat.cat, patrimonifestiu.cultura.gencat.cat, ports.gencat.cat. Reported by elnacional.cat, elperiodico.com, Jordi Garcia jane, sitges.cat, castelldefels.org, metropoliabierta.cat.