In March 2024 it was announced that 32 speed cameras would be installed on the MA-10 main road in the Tramuntana Mountains. A key reason for these cameras was to address the illegal races, motorbikes and cars, that have made residents' lives a misery for years.
The cameras were meant to have been installed last summer. As things stand at present, the bidding phase for the contract to purchase the cameras hasn't even begun.
The Council of Mallorca says there is agreement with the DGT traffic directorate as to the type of camera, which is governed by EU regulations. The tender, the Council notes, is about to be put out. Responsibility for the purchase, at a cost of around €1.2 million, is that of the Council, as is the installation. The DGT takes care of data capture and the issuing of fines.
Not all races are illegal. The Pujada al Puig Major Rally (for cars) was staged on Saturday. The road was closed to traffic on Saturday and wasn't due to reopen until 7pm on Sunday. The Indignats MA-10 pressure group of residents, which for many years has been pressing for something to be done about all races in the mountains - legal and illegal - pointed out that residents were in effect confined to their homes because of the rally. The group was also critical of makeshift camps that were set up on roadsides and on private properties in the days leading up to the event.
In April it was reported that the Balearic environment ministry had drawn up regulations for the control of sports events in the mountains. Groups such as Tramuntana XXI argued that these should cover roads and not just mountain tracks and trails and apply to cycling events such as Mallorca 312 as well as to motorbike events. The roads had been excluded because they weren't subject to environmental protection regulations.