The Government considers recovering tolls on the AP-7
The secretary of Mobility, Manel Nadal, remarks that it should be a measure of state scope
BarcelonaThe Generalitat is considering reintroducing barriers on the AP-7 to limit access and thus reduce the volume of vehicles that this major artery supports, especially since the tolls were eliminated. This was stated this Thursday by the Secretary of Mobility and Infrastructure of the Government, Manel Nadal, in an interview with Catalunya Ràdio, in which he stated that this infrastructure can no longer absorb more truck traffic.
Nadal's statements come hours after up to four serious accidents were recorded on this road: a fatal accident in the early morning – in which a 17-year-old minor died – and three more accidents in the early morning, involving trucks. The incidents greatly complicated mobility in several areas, especially in Tarragonès and also in Martorell. For this reason, Nadal also pointed out that, in addition to reopening the debate on access barriers, it is also necessary to improve the capacity of alternative routes or allow trucks to circulate on the old N-340 or N-II.
Talking about payment again
The Secretary of Mobility and Infrastructures of the Government ruled that it is necessary to talk again about the payment for the use of the AP-7 and "recover the tolls, with the formula we want". Furthermore, the Secretary of the Generalitat also clarified that the debate cannot be held alone, but "with the whole of Spain". "We cannot have a border in Ulldecona and another in Seròs, and have truck drivers circulate freely throughout Spain and pay here", he exemplified. The Department of Mobility and Infrastructures of the Ministry of Territory considers that, if there is a will for agreement, tolls could be recovered in two or three years.
Among the most significant problems in the mobility of this road, Nadal stated that there is a "lack of maintenance" by the Spanish government. Furthermore, he also pointed out that the capacity expansion of the AP-7 itself must be addressed with "a third lane in the stretch of Terres de l'Ebre and a fourth in Penedès and Vallès".
