The Ayuntamiento de Ronda, the Town Council, which is led by PP's Mari-Paz Fernandez, the mayor, plans to restrict use of the Puente Nuevo only to people whose cars are registered in Ronda. This was announced after the monthly plenary council meeting on Monday. The scheme will start in 2025.
Initial thoughts
A very good idea, it would seem, as the heavy traffic during the day, especially in the high season, makes this area, linking Ronda with the Casco Antiguo, The Old Part, overcrowded and potentially dangerous, with the numbers of tourists who seem to think they own the road and jay-walk constantly.
To close the bridge entirely to vehicular traffic, which happened a few years ago when PSOE ran the council, is not really an option, particularly for the residents of Barrio San Francisco who use the bridge to get to and from work. They formed an action group and made successful representations to Ronda Council.
So, the politicians have come up with a compromise. Ronda residents whose cars are registered in Ronda may apply for a permit to use the bridge.
Cameras will be installed, so that unauthorised cars, particularly hire cars or foreign registered vehicles, which use the bridge can be identified, prosecuted and fined.
Possible hitches
What about Ronda residents who have their cars registered elsewhere? Like me, my wife and no doubt countless others. Shouldn't they be able to use the bridge?
PSOE have suggested that people who live in nearby villages should also be allowed to cross the bridge, as they all have to come to Ronda for official business, for the bank and for the hospital. Many choose to do their shopping in Ronda, since certain types of shop are not available in the small villages of the Serrania de Ronda.
Conclusion
A good move but only fair and just if permitted users include the categories above.
© Paul Whitelock
Acknowledgements:
Alamy
Fenix
Ronda Semanal
Tags:
action group, Alamy, Bank, Barrio San Francisco, Casco Antiguo, Fenix, hospital, Mari-Paz Fernandez, official business, PP, PSOE, Paul Whitelock, Puente Nuevo, Ronda residents, Ronda Semanal, Serrania de Ronda