Major Traffic Changes in Central Manresa
Carrer Guimerà in Manresa has entered a new phase of transformation, with significant changes to traffic flow now in place as the city council moves to complete its pedestrianisation project. The measure, implemented on Tuesday, restricts general vehicle access to the street, allowing only authorised vehicles such as residents’ cars, deliveries and emergency services. The project, led by the Ajuntament de Manresa, aims to convert the entire stretch of Carrer Guimerà into a single pedestrian platform by the end of the year. Works began exactly a year ago, and the current phase covers the section from Plaça de Neus Català i Pallejà to Carrer Circumval·lació, including part of Passeig de Pere III up to Carrer Canyelles.
Revised Routes and Driver Adjustments
Drivers must now adapt to new one-way systems. Carrer Canyelles, previously two-way, is now a designated downhill route leading into Passeig de Pere III, which itself has changed direction and now operates as an uphill route towards Plaça Espanya. This shift forces drivers coming from Passeig to divert via Carrer Canyelles rather than continuing straight along Guimerà. Carrer Sant Joan Baptista de la Salle, locally known as Els Esquilets, is now a downhill-only street from Guimerà to Bonsuccés. The upper half, closest to Guimerà, will be fully incorporated into the pedestrian zone once works conclude. Access will be monitored by an automatic camera enforcement system to prevent unauthorised vehicles from entering. Carrer Infants has also changed direction and now leads out towards the Vic road, diverting traffic from Muralla del Carme. A new traffic light has been installed at the junction of Carrer Infants and Carretera de Vic to manage the altered flow.
Ongoing Works and Temporary Disruptions
Carrer Bonsuccés is now an uphill route towards Carrer Era del Firmat, from where vehicles can access either Circumval·lació or return to the Vic road. Meanwhile, Carrer Puigterrà de Baix is currently a downhill-only street from the Vic road to Circumval·lació, but the section between Bonsuccés and Circumval·lació is temporarily a dead end due to ongoing construction. A taxi driver from outside Manresa reported being stranded in this dead-end section while attempting to pick up a passenger from Asepeyo rehabilitation centre. "I’ll have to reverse out, and I do that enough already," he said.
We want to celebrate the Christmas campaign, which begins with the Fira de Sant Andreu on 30 November, with Carrer Guimerà finished and inaugurated.
According to the city council, the full reorganisation will be completed by the end of the year. Final changes include reversing the direction of Carrer Era Firmat between Circumval·lació and Bonsuccés and fully integrating the upper section of Carrer Sant Joan Baptista de la Salle into the pedestrian zone.
Public Reaction and Future Plans
Reactions have been mixed. Some residents and drivers have adapted easily, while others find the changes disruptive. A motorcyclist attempting to reach Guimerà expressed frustration, calling the changes "a bloody nuisance." In contrast, another driver welcomed the changes, saying they simplified her usual city routes. City officials insist the adjustments are necessary to improve mobility in the city centre. The final phase of the project, including full installation of urban furniture, will be completed once all construction is finished. The council reaffirmed its commitment to finish all works before the Fira de Sant Andreu in November. Carrer Guimerà’s full pedestrianisation forms part of a broader urban renewal strategy, which includes the installation of intelligent crosswalks and educational speed cameras across the city to enhance safety.
Reported by regio7.cat, Gemma Camps, naciodigital.cat, Jordi Morros, Redacció, Redacció/G.C, Montepio Marco Ibor, eb.manresa.cat, Francesc Galindo, Regió 7.
