The GOB calls for the withdrawal of the Pobla-Alcúdia train project as "unsustainable and unfair."

PalmThe GOB (Basque Government) called this Monday for the withdrawal of the current Sa Pobla-Alcúdia train project, which it considers "unsustainable, socially unjust, and legally weak," and demanded a complete redesign with citizen participation and respect for the territory. The organization has demanded its withdrawal within the framework of the public comment period.

The group denounces that this project has been processed without giving a voice to residents, farmers, or organizations, and therefore demands an extension of the period for objections and the establishment of "a real participatory process," as required by the 2016 Sustainable Mobility Law. According to Europa Press, the environmentalists point to the strong environmental, urban planning, and heritage impact and propose an alternative that follows the land reserve of the Mallorca Road Plan, along the MA-13, which minimizes the impact and territorial fragmentation.

They warn that the current project threatens the agricultural heritage in the Marjal de sa Pobla, the orchards and traditional irrigation systems in the area, with mills and irrigation ditches that are protected by the European Landscape Convention and the 2017 Law.

It also generates a "serious impact" on both the Son Fe and Sant Martí mountains, which are planned to be drilled, which would damage the exceptional paleontological, archaeological and hydrogeological values.

The area preserves Jurassic and Oligocene fossils, documented in scientific studies and protected by the Historical Heritage Law of 2018, the GOB has recalled, which demands that this project be stopped, the Son Fe mountain declared a paleontological zone and a specific protection plan and a hydrogeological report drawn up.

As for the pnatural arch of the Albufera, explains that it could affect this area of the Natura 2000 Network and flood risk zones, which would also violate the Habitats and Birds directives.

Rejection of the station to the Port of Alcudia

Furthermore, they have opposed the proposed station in Puerto de Alcudia, which serves tourist interests rather than the real needs of residents, which contradicts the objectives of the Sustainable Mobility Law and the resulting plan.

Furthermore, they denounce that the project does not include "any serious proposal for environmental restoration or agricultural compensation"; it also does not guarantee fare or time integration with the TIB network, nor connections to trams, bicycles, or park-and-ride parking, thus condemning the railway to be "inefficient and expensive."

Based on all these allegations, they call for a complete redesign of the project with an alternative route that is more respectful of the area, connected to the existing transport network, and that guarantees service to residents. Finally, they demand that the new project respect the natural, archaeological, and cultural heritage and scrupulously comply with current environmental and heritage regulations.