MANRESA, BAGES, Businesses in Manresa’s historic centre have presented nine demands to the city council in an effort to halt commercial decline. The proposals, set out in the report “Accessibility, Parking and Competitiveness of the Commercial Centre”, call for changes to parking, public transport and pedestrian access in the city centre.
The report says Manresa’s layout makes access harder than in flatter cities. Built on a plateau between rivers and ravines, the city has steep changes in height. It says the Renfe station is about 215 metres above sea level, while Carrer Sobrerroca is around 270 metres, leaving people who park at the Seu Centre car park with an uphill walk of about 60 metres to reach the historic core.
Business groups say that is a barrier for older people, people with reduced mobility, parents with prams and shoppers carrying bags. They argue that Manresa needs a more generous parking policy close to the commercial centre, and that outlying car parks should be backed by competitive prices, shuttle services and better signage. For wider context on local coverage, see our news page.
Among the main requests is a moratorium on expanding the pedestrian zone until nearby parking and efficient public transport are in place. The associations also want the speed camera on Carrer Sobrerroca suspended, and they ask for a new multi-storey car park between Carrer Na Bastardes and Sant Pere to serve residents and free up spaces for shoppers. They also want a study into expanding Pàrquing 4 Cantons, which has 223 spaces, and a review of the underground project in Plaça Milcentenari and the Mercat Puigmercadal car park.
On public transport, the groups call for the long-promised bus stop in Sant Domènec to be put in place. They also want blue zone spaces on Carrer Jaume I maintained and recovered, no further cuts to parking on that stretch, and more motorcycle spaces on Carrer Mestre Blanch. The report also asks for free dissuasive car parks at the city’s entrances, with better links into the centre, and points to Vic as a reference with 1,295 peripheral spaces across nine car parks.
Other demands include moving ahead with the long-announced parking project in the L’Anònima building, studying selective changes to open up built-up areas in the Old Quarter, and reserving space in Plaça Major. The businesses say commercial occupancy in the area has fallen from 74% in 2012 to 48% now, and to 44% on Carrer Sobrerroca, and they want the council to test whether suspending the camera could help bring more visitors back. The council is expected to review the proposals and discuss possible solutions and timelines with the business associations.
