Work on Badalona’s €4.2 million Riera de Pomar urban park has stopped after the contractor, Cosplaan Obras y Servicios Laantit, SLU, declared bankruptcy. The Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona (AMB) now has to retender the project.
People in the Pomar and La Morera neighbourhoods first noticed the pause. They said there had been almost three weeks with no workers on site. Badalona City Council confirmed the reason for the stoppage to Metrópoli Abierta.
The council said, “The works are stopped because the company in charge has gone bankrupt.” It added that the AMB is carrying out the steps needed to end the contract as soon as possible. The project started on 25 February and was due to take 17 months.
The scheme is funded through the Pla de Sostenibilitat Ambiental de l’Àrea Metropolitana de Barcelona. It is meant to create a new green space in Badalona, stretching from l’Alguer roundabout to Carlemany Avenue. The plan includes natural areas, benches, children’s play areas, a new footbridge between Joan d’Àustria street and Mercat de Pomar, and an expanded Joan d’Àustria street with rest areas and a cycle lane.
Badalona mayor Xavier García Albiol said four months ago that the project would “bring a great transformation and dignify the space”. He also said it was one of his commitments for this term, and that the city would gain a new green lung with space for children, dogs and walking. Residents have long asked for action in the area because of odours and insalubrity.
The AMB now plans to terminate the contract with Cosplaan Obras y Servicios Laantit, SLU, then retender the work to another company. Officials hope to award the new contract before summer. For more local coverage, see our Community and Sport pages.
