Yesterday's European Day without Cars was relativity successful in Palma although streets dogged by road works were the scene of the usual traffic mayhem in the centre. At a national level, participation ranged from seven per cent of the driving population in Santander to 30 per cent in Cadiz, on average, 18 per cent of the population participated in the annual event; obviously at this time of year, leaving cars behind and deciding to walk depends very much on the weather. Minister for the Environment, Jaume Matas, called on the population to use alternative transport and make an effort to try and use their private as least as possible. Matas said that he was pleased with the national average 18 per cent who left their cars at home, he said the figure is symbolic', but added that for anything constructive to come from the Day without Cars in Spain, the level of participation has got to be increased next year. Around Palma yesterday there were a handful of people getting about by bycicle ant there were plenty on foot -however because of the island's poor public transport net- work, those planning a shopping trip to Palma, if they were nowhere near the train, either stayed at home or drove to the city.
Palma´s quiet day without cars
City was far from deserted of cars yesterday.