Residents of Carrer de Sardenya in Barcelona's Eixample district are demanding urgent action from the Ajuntament de Barcelona. They report severe traffic congestion and constant noise pollution caused by tourist buses, a problem that began two years ago after a route change.
Two tourist bus lines, one public and one private, now use Carrer de Sardenya. These buses pass every five minutes, sometimes just over a minute apart. Residents describe the street as having always had heavy traffic, but the tourist buses have made it significantly worse.
"They occupy the space of eight cars because they use both narrow lanes," explained Jorge Martín, a resident of the street. The constant noise from idling engines further aggravates the situation for those living nearby.
A long traffic light cycle at the complex intersection with Carrer d'Aragó and Diagonal exacerbates the problem. This light cycle lasts almost two minutes between changes. "The buses also cross paths, which stops cars from leaving when the light is green, so there is a permanent jam," Martín lamented.
The Ajuntament changed the Bus Turístic route near the Sagrada Família two years ago. Since then, buses stop directly in front of the temple and circulate along Carrer de Sardenya. The Eixample district, home to over 260,000 residents, often experiences high traffic volumes. This specific area is particularly busy due to its proximity to the iconic Sagrada Família basilica, a major tourist attraction drawing millions annually.
The intersection of Carrer d'Aragó, Diagonal, and the tram line creates a significant bottleneck. This complex junction makes managing traffic flow especially challenging for city planners. Residents are now calling on the Ajuntament to implement immediate measures to reduce the pressure on their neighbourhood.
Ajuntament Considers Solutions
Eixample Councillor Jordi Valls addressed the issue at a recent Public Hearing. He stated that "a reduction in bus frequency is already on the table." Valls also indicated that "the solution is close."
Additionally, officials are trying to work "so that one of the lines turns onto Carrer de Mallorca to try and separate them." This would potentially ease the flow on Carrer de Sardenya. However, residents remain sceptical about these proposed changes, citing past delays.
Previous Plans Unapplied
In 2024, the Ajuntament defined 16 "high tourist influx areas" (EGATs) across Barcelona. This initiative aimed to address disruptions caused by excessive tourism in specific neighbourhoods. The plan already included provisions to increase waiting times for tourist transport and limit the number of lines operating in affected areas.
However, the Ajuntament has not yet applied these specific measures to Carrer de Sardenya or other identified EGATs. This lack of implementation contributes to residents' distrust regarding a short-term solution to their daily struggles.
Residents continue to press for immediate action, suggesting at least one bus line should change its route entirely. They also propose increasing the interval between tourist buses to reduce congestion. The Ajuntament faces growing pressure to deliver on its promises and alleviate the daily burden on Carrer de Sardenya residents.
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Originally published by betevé. Read original article.
