Prohibition of the movement of trucks on the AP7?

After the long lines of the return operation last Monday, for the Second Easter bridge, the Generalitat of Catalonia has confirmed through its spokesperson that it is considering prohibiting the circulation of trucks on the AP7 on weekends: the "restriction of heavy vehicles (on weekends) is on the table, but the affected sectors have not been discussed." The carriers have already reproached the Executive for the need to invest more in infrastructure and ask to “stop criminalizing” the sector.

The neighborhood controversy caused by the excessive passage of trucks on the N-340 and N-II roads led to truckers being forced to use the AP-7 in 2018, when the toll still existed. Once eliminated, the increase in passenger cars, but also in production and, therefore, in goods vehicles, have caused the artery that feeds the center of Europe with products from both Catalonia and the Almeria or Murcian orchard to collapse. 

“In the Valencian Community there is no restriction for us to circulate, and trucks come from Andalusia, Murcia and the autonomous region itself”, claims the general secretary of the Fenadismer employers' association, Juan José Gil.

"It is not admissible that now that it is free they are trying to expel them from the road, when (the Government) are responsible for the increase in traffic that it has experienced," explains Gil. It also stresses that they perform a "public and essential service" so that fruits, vegetables, meat and other non-perishable products reach the main cities of Spain and the continent. Some, like Magaña, point out that it is a "political problem" to cover up the lack of investment and hope that, even if they cannot travel on the AP-7, alternative routes will be enabled, but they warn that this would collapse the national highways. current to the border.

Approximately 60% of Spanish exports to Europe leave via the AP7 on board trucks, including on weekends, so this prohibition would limit the activity of exporting companies, since there is no route alternative by which trucks can reach the border. Activity would be limited by 25%, that of transport companies and exporters.

The question is can we afford it?