Soller’s traffic congestion problems continue despite efforts by the local council to get a grip of the situation which is driving local residents round the bend. On Friday, the main access route to Soller, the Desvío road, was once again completely gridlocked.
The situation was likely exacerbated by the fact that the recent traffic reorganisation forces all vehicles, residents and visitors alike, to use this route to reach the town centre, whereas until a month ago locals could also access it via Calle Isabel II.
The situation was utter chaos, with traffic jams stretching all the way to the Soller tunnel and beyond, meaning it had to be closed intermittently to prevent congestion inside. The Local Police estimated that by midday, the flow of traffic on this road had reached peaks of 1,300 vehicles per hour, according to the Councillor for Home Affairs, Carlos Darder.
For this reason, the Cetre roundabout had to be closed during rush hour to prevent cars coming from the Port from taking it towards the centre, forcing them to travel an extra kilometre to turn around, but also adding to the main traffic jam. Many residents expressed their frustration at the situation, voicing their concerns and discussing them on social media.
Some of the local drivers who found themselves stuck on the Desvío this Friday attribute this situation to the traffic redesign, which only allows access to the town centre via the Cetre roundabout. From the opposition, Seny i Sentit blames the council for having implemented the change despite the fact that its outcome was ‘predictable’.
Carlos Darder (PP) pointed out that, this Friday, “traffic congestion stretched all the way to Palma’s ring road” and that “neither this road as it passes through Sóller, nor any other, can cope with this volume of traffic”. However, public opinion is divided. And, with the sun shining this Saturday and temperatures on the rise, a repeat of yesterday’s situation is expected with the Local Police out in force.