Reus will bring in new traffic restrictions in the city centre from 20 July, with changes focused on the Pallol and Doctor Robert areas. The council says the aim is to reduce through-traffic and improve pedestrian safety in one of the city’s busiest zones.
Work to install automatic bollards and number plate readers began this week. According to councillor for citizen security and coexistence Dolors Vázquez, the work will take two to three weeks, followed by a testing period. That will give residents and other affected users time to apply for the permits they need.
The regulated access system will include new control points at Doctor Robert street at Plaça de Catalunya, Carreró de la Puríssima Sang at Plaça de la Puríssima Sang, Carrer del Roser at Carreró de la Puríssima Sang, and Carrer de la Mar at Raval de Sant Pere. The rules will follow the same timetable as the current old town system.
Access will be free for all vehicles between 2am and 11am. From 11am to 2am, only authorised vehicles will be allowed in. Number plate readers will identify registered vehicles and open the bollards automatically, while all access points will have an intercom linked to a control centre for incidents.
The council says the plan follows a technical study and agreement with local residents and shopkeepers. It is intended to ease traffic in an area with very narrow pavements and heavy vehicle use. Municipal data shows nearly 10,400 vehicles use Doctor Robert street each day, more than 7,300 use Raval de Sant Pere, and around 4,200 pass through Plaça de la Puríssima Sang.
Residents registered in the affected area whose vehicles are taxed in Reus will be added automatically to the database. Taxis, public services, healthcare vehicles and emergency services will also have direct access. Long-term permits will be needed for residents whose vehicles are taxed outside Reus, owners or renters of parking spaces in the zone, family members of residents over 70, and vehicles linked to businesses in the area. Temporary permits can also be requested for hotel or tourist accommodation guests, construction work, removals and specific activities.
Applications can be made in person at the Citizen Attention Office or through the Reus City Council electronic headquarters. The council has already sent information letters to residents and says there will be an adaptation period before the system is fully in place. Enquiries can be sent to [email protected] or made by phone on 977 010 068. During the works, traffic will be diverted via Carrer del Roser and Raval de Santa Anna, and access will be restricted in parts of Carreró de la Puríssima Sang for short periods.
