Following the recent request by Palma's federation of residents' associations, the town hall has announced that there will be no more licences for kiosks on the city's public way. The decision, which will not apply to parks, is aimed at preventing an "over-occupancy" of pavements and squares.
Aurora Jhardi, deputy mayor for public service, says that the new bylaw, under which this measure will be adopted, will not affect kiosks with a social purpose, such as those for ONCE, or those for the police and tourist information. She adds that there will be a qualification of criteria for existing kiosks that the federation has also requested. These are to establish a minimum four-metre distance between kiosks and, for example, public buildings and bus stops. The size of the kiosk will be reduced in these instances, if it is possible to do so, but Jhardi accepts that there may well have to be exceptions and specific solutions arrived at.
By reducing public way over-occupancy, the bylaw for kiosks will, she observes, improve accessibility and ensure safety. The bylaw draft is expected to be published in March, with the intention that it comes into force in time for the main tourism season.
Joan Forteza, the federation's president, has expressed his satisfaction that the town hall has accepted its proposals and that the bylaw will be in place for the season. "It is absolutely necessary for there to be certain guarantees in time for the tourism season."