The transfer of the Consell ring road to the Algaida City Council remains in the dark

AlgaidaThe transfer of ownership of the Algaida ring road from the Council of Mallorca to the City Council remains stalled. After the municipal plenary session approved a motion in July to demand a full overhaul of the road before accepting it, the island institution has made a partial proposal: it accepts acting on the gardening and green spaces, but avoids assuming the improvement of public lighting.

For the Algaida City Council, this proposal is not what was expected nor what was demanded by the plenary session of the Consistory. Thus, the mayor of Algaida, Margalida Fullana, explains that "we will not sign the reception while the ring road is not in adequate conditions of safety, maintenance, and functionality".

The Algaida City Council has long been demanding improvements to the Algaida ring road, especially regarding lighting. In fact, as in all municipalities, ring roads, besides being a traffic bypass artery, become one of the spaces most used by residents to walk, run, or ride a bicycle. However, "the lack of lighting in several sections generates a notable perception of insecurity and limits the use of the promenade during hours of less light".

The technical reports from the municipal architect and the study commissioned by the City Council confirm "serious deficiencies: dark spots, landscape degradation, lack of routine maintenance, and spontaneous vegetation affecting pavements and lighting points".

Sources from the City Council remind that "the safety of the citizens must be an essential requirement" before assuming ownership of any public space. In this sense, they add that "accepting the road only with improvements to the landscaping would leave the resolution of the lighting at the expense of the municipal coffers, an expense and responsibility that correspond to the current owner, the Council of Mallorca".

For all these reasons, the Algaida City Council maintains the claim of the agreements approved in the plenary session, that is to say, an integral lighting project in order to eliminate the dark spots and ensure nighttime visibility. It also insists on the improvement of cleaning, clearing, pruning, and replacement of trees and damaged landscaping elements; the repair of damages to pavements, walls, and irrigation installations.