Pollensa Forum - Cars banned from Formentor lighthouse.

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Sparky

06-06-2018 09:41

Cars banned from Formentor lighthouse.

This from the DDM with Google translation :-

Quote:

Pollença prohibits access by car to the Formentor lighthouse from 9.30 am to 7 pm
The "pilot test" will be carried out between July and August.

Access to the Formentor lighthouse will be limited during this summer.

Access to the Formentor lighthouse will be limited during this summer. apb
This summer will be limited access by car to the Formentor lighthouse from 9.30-10 to 19 hours. This was announced yesterday by the mayor of Pollença , Miquel Àngel March, after having a meeting with the Government , the Consell de Mallorca , the Road Consortium and Autoritat Portuària de Balears.
To end the endless queues of vehicles that form to access the lighthouse of Formentor , Pollença has launched a "pilot test" that prohibits the access of cars during July and August and restricts the passage from 9.30-10 in the morning until 7:00 p.m. The objective of the competent administrations is to put an end to the "overcrowding and insecurity" that is created in this area during the summer months.

According to March, the limitations will only apply between the beach and the Formentor lighthouse. In this way, all those citizens and tourists who want to access this area should use the shuttle bus that the Government has launched. Only bicycles and residents in the areas of Cala Murta and Cala Figuera will have a special authorization to pass through this section.

............................

Read the report here :- https://www.diariodemallorca.es/part...o/1319789.html

kcdc230

08-06-2018 11:56

My wife spotted this on a news site the other day as well.

We always try to squeeze a visit to the lighthouse in to our holidays in PP - the drive along the approach roads is part of the 'fun' of the visit.

It's perfectly understandable that they're doing this as parking is always at an absolute premium in the summer months.

However, my first thought was 'I don't think I would want to do that journey as a passenger in a bus'!

Equally, I'm not 100% sure that I would want to do it after 7pm when the light is sure to be fading on the return trip. But I guess that all adds to the fun of a trip to PP!

Come August, I will let you know what we ended up doing :o

pollensafan

08-06-2018 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcdc230 (Post 123001)

My wife spotted this on a news site the other day as well.

However, my first thought was 'I don't think I would want to do that journey as a passenger in a bus'!
Come August, I will let you know what we ended up doing :o

Try the bus. You might find it's just the ticket. As long as you conduct yourself in an orderly manner. :D

I know, Groan, but it's the best I can do.:rolleyes:

kcdc230

08-06-2018 21:27

Oh come on... You're driving me to distraction now...

pollensafan

09-06-2018 10:21

And finally, what would an Egyptian bus conductor say to his passengers,,,,,,,,,, Fez Please.

Oh dear Oh dear:eek:

joey36

09-06-2018 22:57

We often take the boat to get to Formentor beach and get the bus back or the other way round depending on timings.The bus driver has a very difficult job both ways but always makes it a very enjoyable trip but sometimes a trifle scary.

Sparky

06-07-2018 14:58

Posted on FB by the Ajuntament.

Quote:

The shuttle of the peninsula of formentor enters into operation Monday.

Next Monday, 9 July will be put into operation the shuttle that will unite the port of pollença with the peninsula of formentor, at the same time that fall into force the restrictions of movement agreed.

So, from Monday, access in motor vehicles on the peninsula of formentor is restricted between the beach and the lighthouse from 10.00 h until 19.00 h. So that visitors can access the main points of interest in this natural area, the government of the balearic islands puts in operation a shuttle bus service, which will come out of the central shutdown of the port of pollença.

The new service connects the port of pollença with the peninsula of formentor with exits from the central shutdown and also from the beach of formentor, point from which it starts the traffic restriction. We must remember that the new central shutdown of the port of pollença there vial of service with free parking for vehicles.

The service of the shuttle from the shutdown of the port of pollença starts at 9.45 and will have the following schedules of exit to the lighthouse: 9.45; 10.00; 10.30; 11.30,; 13.30; 15.30; 16.00; 16.30 and 17.00 hours.

From the beach of formentor, last point where you can get with car, there will be bus to the lighthouse at the following schedules: 10.15; 10.30; 11.00; 11.30; 12.00; 12.30 ; 13.00; 14.00; 15.00; 16.00; 16.30; 17.30; 18.00 and 18.30.

The frequencies back from the lighthouse are the following: the first, at 11.00 in the morning and then every half hour until 15.30. Then the frequencies are from 16.30, also every half hour until The 19.00. All these frequencies have arrival at the beach shutdown. Until the port of pollença arrive the expeditions that come out of the far at 11.00; 12.30; 14.20; 16.30; 18.00; 19.20 hours.

The shuttle has stops at the mirador de es colomer, beach of formentor, Cala Myrtle / cala figuera and the lighthouse.

The new service is offered with the current line 353 which starts the tour in the port of pollença. The Price of the simple ticket is 1,55 euros and the usual users of public transport tib can use the intermodal card and enjoy the discounts that this offers, as well as the t20 fertilizers and T40. The shuttle will work this season until 31 August.

Shuttle bus offer a sustainable alternative to access natural spaces of interest from Mallorca which currently live a strong pressure of vehicles. In this way, the government of the balearic islands encourages the proper conservation of our natural spaces at the time of making accessible areas of attractive tourist to all residents and visitors of the island.

The access system in formentor has involved the coordination between the government of the Balearic Islands (through the transport consortium of MALLORCA CTM), Council of Mallorca, city of pollença, DG TRAFFICKING CIVIL GUARD AND PORT AUTHORITY (Holder of the lighthouse of Formentor).

Next Monday, representatives of all institutions involved, will make a trip with the shuttle and baring the process that has been followed by launching the shuttle and the restriction of movement, its motivation, characteristics of the service, conditions and exceptions to The limitations and control.

mike_dublin

01-08-2018 07:03

https://majorcadailybulletin.com/new...ighthouse.html

Quote:

A number of private cars were driven to the lighthouse at Formentor on Monday, ignoring the fact that since 9 July there has been a ban on all vehicles apart from authorised ones (and bicycles) going any further than the beach on the promontory. The volume of traffic was such that the shuttle bus service from Puerto Pollensa had to be suspended on safety grounds.

The total number of cars was in fact only around seventy, according to one source, and they had been driven to the lighthouse after the Guardia Civil's Trafico division (the traffic police) ordered the removal of the barrier on the road that Pollensa town hall had installed. Trafico told the person who mans the barrier and informs drivers that there was no legal cover to stop private cars, despite there being signs warning about the restriction. Only Guardia Civil officers can do this.

...
It would appear that there were no issues yesterday, the communication problem seemingly having been resolved. A hastily convened meeting between the town hall and the Council of Majorca agreed to reinforce the advisory notices on the bypass road in Puerto Pollensa which leads to Formentor.

Rockape

01-08-2018 09:43

I did two trips to the lighthouse in July, one on my mountain bike, which was a good work out, but so lovely and peaceful with no cars. Apart from through the valley/trees section that was deafening with the sound of the cicadas in the trees. Incredible noise!

We drove down one evening at 7.30pm and it was very quiet, but came up behind the worst driver I've EVER seen. You had to see it to believe it, he was driving down the middle of the road at 20k or 10k around the bends and causing carnage with cars coming the other way. In the end I stopped at a viewpoint for 10mins to avoid the stress. :cool:

mike_dublin

07-08-2018 07:16

https://majorcadailybulletin.com/new...over-half.html

Quote:

Since the restriction on traffic going to the lighthouse in Formentor was introduced on 9 July, there has been more than a 50% decrease in traffic movement.

The Council of Majorca, responsible for main roads, calculates that there are at least a thousand fewer vehicles per day than there were at the same time last year. ...

By traffic movements, the Council means going to and from the lighthouse. The number of actual vehicles was therefore half the figure. Of these, five per cent were bikes, eleven per cent were heavy vehicles and 84% were light vehicles.

The traffic restriction this summer is a pilot project. The restriction will be lifted on 1 September, but once the Council of Majorca and other authorities have had a chance to analyse the pilot project, it could be that the restriction will be for a longer period next year. ...

... see full article on the MDB website

mike_dublin

11-12-2018 11:56

Formentor restrictions extended for 2019

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...next-year.html

Quote:

Restrictions on traffic going to the lighthouse in Formentor will be extended by four weeks next summer. The Balearic government, Council of Majorca, Pollensa town hall and traffic directorate have come to an agreement for the restrictions to start on 15 June and last until 15 September. This year, they applied to July and August only.

The hours will remain the same - 10am to 7pm - and the restrictions will be between the beach and the lighthouse, as was the case this summer. ..

Traffic usage was cut by almost 80% in July and August. Vehicles that were allowed to go past the beach and on to the lighthouse included those for deliveries and the shuttle bus from Puerto Pollensa, which was used by some 34,000 passengers. Bicycles are not subject to restriction

Deanscroft

22-12-2018 08:26

Formentor car park

A group of us are thinking of going out to Formentor beach for a picnic after Christmas. As we will be in three cars we would like to know if there is still a charge for the car park. I understand that in the summer it was as much as 15€ a car.

Sparky

20-02-2019 11:51

The restrictions for 2019 have been confirmed, this from the MDB :-

Quote:

Formentor summer road restrictions confirmed
2019-02-19 17:35:00 Pollensa By Majorca Daily Bulletin reporter

The shuttle bus from Puerto Pollensa will obviously be one of the vehicles that can use the road without restriction.

The road between the beach at Formentor and the lighthouse will be closed this summer from 15 June to 15 September between the hours of 10am and 7pm. Access will be limited to public transport, authorised vehicles (residents, workers at the lighthouse, emergency, security forces, for people with reduced mobility) and cyclists.

The full story can be read here :- https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...confirmed.html

mike_dublin

18-06-2019 07:22

https://www.ultimahora.es/sucesos/ul...ista-inca.html

Quote:

Saturday saw the introduction of the restriction of vehicles on the road between Formentor beach and the lighthouse. Some drivers were either unaware of the restriction or ignored it as they were on the road after ten o'clock, which is when the restriction starts. Vehicles went to the lighthouse, and when some twenty or so were returning, they were confronted by the shuttle bus from Puerto Pollensa. There was some resultant difficulty in manoeuvring on the tight and twisting bends.

On Saturday, a Council of Majorca vehicle was used to check on what was happening and a Guardia Civil patrol made a brief appearance from around ten o'clock. On Sunday, the employee who is there to inform drivers was the only presence. Fewer fines than on Saturday were raised; the camera and video system near the beach records unauthorised access.

...
Workers at the lighthouse cafe, who are authorised to use the cafe, say that they welcome the restriction. Takings may be down, but they are able to offer a better quality of service because of the reduced numbers.

see full article on the MDB website

mike_dublin

27-06-2019 07:06

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...ntor-road.html

Quote:

Restrictions on traffic as far as the lighthouse in Formentor have been in place for more than a week, but these would appear to have added to traffic congestion going to the beach, which is where the restriction starts. There are lengthy tailbacks along the road from Puerto Pollensa.

...
One of the main problems is the lack of public car parking for the beach and therefore the ability to absorb the number of vehicles. The only car park is private. When it's full, cars have nowhere to go. The result is queuing in order to wait for spaces, and trapped in the queues can be the shuttle bus. Turning round and going back to Puerto Pollensa is difficult because of the narrowness of the road.

When the restrictions were introduced last year, there were warnings about the knock-on effect. It was argued that measures should apply from Puerto Pollensa.

...
The idea is to close the road to traffic from Puerto Pollensa at certain times and especially when the car park is full.

see full article on the MDB website

mike_dublin

01-07-2019 07:27

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...-car-park.html

Quote:

Environmentalists GOB have denounced "a car park with payment in a protected area of Formentor" to the Council of Majorca's land department, the Council's agency for the defence of territory and the government's directorate for natural spaces and biodiversity.

Pollensa's mayor, Tomeu Cifre, has confirmed that this refers to part of the car park operated by the Formentor Hotel and which is used by the thousands of vehicles that go as far as the beach each day. The demand for the car park has increased because of the traffic restrictions from the beach to the lighthouse.

...

The town hall is meanwhile working on an alternative arrangement for the road to be presented to the relevant authorities - the Council of Majorca, the regional government and the traffic directorate. This would entail closing the road from Puerto Pollensa at least at times when traffic is typically at its heaviest. The town hall believes there is sufficient parking in Puerto Pollensa for people to then use the shuttle bus to the beach and the lighthouse.

see full article on the MDB website

bobley

02-07-2019 14:49

I presume if you drive up before 9.30AM and park in Cala Figuera car park and go hiking for a few hours you dont get in trouble on the drive home??

klad1

03-07-2019 10:57

I think that car park is closed now. Not sure why. Its a pity as that could have been utilised to take the strain off the Formentor car park.

JPALCOVER

03-07-2019 16:36

Most likely, the solution will be the same as the one used in the "National Parks" of Spain. A maximum number of cars are admitted simultaneously each day. Once this maximum number has been reached, new entrants are allowed only if previous entrants leave. The control is ensured by Guardia Civil agents and, in the case of the National Parks, Forest Guards.
Based on my experience, I recommend "entering" the park before 09h00 / 09h30.

At the height of the day (around noon) the line of cars waiting can be pretty long!

mike_dublin

12-09-2019 12:00

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...trictions.html

Quote:

Traffic restrictions on the Formentor road to the lighthouse will be lifted after Sunday, so bringing an end to the three-month ban on most vehicles using the road between 10am and 7pm.

It has emerged that cameras for reading registration plates at the point near the beach where the restriction starts were not in place until the 23rd of August. These readers automatically send plate numbers to the traffic directorate so that fines can be issued. ...

It would also appear that at some point the Council of Majorca removed vehicle counters. ...
So, there were neither the means for generating fines (for more than two months) nor for proper counting.

Pollensa's mayor Tomeu Cifre has criticised the lack of control and says that the restrictions have led to problems with parking for Formentor beach and for the beaches at Cala Figuera and Cala Murta. Drivers have been using the road before 10am in order to get to the latter two. ...

A second car park for Formentor beach, which was denounced by the environmentalists GOB in July because it was "irregular", has apparently been visited by environment ministry agents on three occasions. On no occasion, it would seem, did the agents catch anyone actually operating this car park.

see full story on the MDB website

mike_dublin

10-06-2020 07:50

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...e-june-22.html

Quote:

The ban on private vehicles between Formentor beach and the lighthouse between 1000 until 1900 during the summer months will resume on June 22 when the State of Emergency ends and remain in place until September 15.

The Directorate General of Traffic, or DGT has told the Government, the Consell de Mallorca and Pollensa City Council that the restrictions in Formentor, which were published in the BOE at the beginning of this year, "may be lifted until traffic escalates to the point where it’s necessary to intervene."

But the Consell de Mallorca says vehicle saturation is not the only reason the restrictions were enforced for the last two summers, it’s also about preserving and protecting the environmental."

Iván Sevillano from the Insular Ministry of Mobility & Infrastructure, claims the "pedagogical effect" of maintaining the restrictions, even with vehicle saturation, won’t be visible for some time.

The City Council strongly opposes applying the restrictions when there’s no tourists on the island.

...

Mobility & Housing Councillor, Marc Pons says the shuttle service “can be adapted to current circumstances with flexible frequencies to meet demand and provide a good service” and has asked for more time to make preparations and guarantee a stable service.

see full article on the MDB website

Sparky

12-06-2020 15:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_dublin (Post 130130)

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...e-june-22.html

see full article on the MDB website

There has been a U turn, just reported here :- https://sompollenca.com/municipi/for...Xi5zPF57_AlO98

Quote:

Finally, access to the head of Formentor will not be restricted this season as announced. The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has taken the exceptional measure in the face of the atypical summer that we will have to live. Remember that two summers ago, access from the beach to the lighthouse was banned for nine hours a day.

Remember that only two days ago, it was the Consell de Mallorca who urged that access to the Cape of Formentor be restricted again. Petition criticized by municipal authorities.

Opposing opinions due to restrictions in Formentor

The global pandemic has halted dry tourism and the arrival of mass foreigners is not expected. So fewer visitors are expected in Formentor, a fact that the DGT has taken into account.

mike_dublin

31-05-2021 07:55

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...y-tighter.html

Quote:

... the restrictions are back for this summer and there are more of them.

... the restrictions will apply as they previously had from June 15 to September and between 10am and 7pm every day.

The change for this summer basically affects the road as far as the beach from Puerto Pollensa. Private cars won’t be able to use the road between 10am and 7pm. Access will be limited to authorised vehicles, such as taxis. Residents and people visiting residents will have access. ...

As before, there will be a barrier with a number plate reader in the area of the beach to allow authorised vehicles through. Authorisations have to be obtained by email application ...

Drivers of private cars should park along the ring road in the port and take the bus to the beach and lighthouse. Two buses will start in Alcudia and stop in Puerto Pollensa. Line 333 will terminate at the beach, and Line 334 will carry on to the lighthouse with stops for Cala Figuera and Cala Murta.

...

see full article on the MDB website

mike_dublin

15-06-2021 12:04

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...ighthouse.html

Quote:

Drivers are banned from the road between Puerto Pollensa and Formentor lighthouse from 10:00-19:00 from today until next September 15, with few exceptions.

Residents and business owners in the restricted area have criticised the measures, claiming the Provincial Traffic Office has not given them the relevant authorisation to access their homes and businesses.

...

Taxi drivers are allowed to take passengers to the first section of the road between Puerto Pollensa and Formentor beach, with prior authorisation and there’s also a shuttle bus from Puerto Pollensa to Formentor beach every 30 minutes and to the lighthouse every hour.

The shuttle will stop at Colomer viewpoint, Cala Murta and Cala Figuera and passengers don't need to buy another ticket between stops, as long as their journey takes less than an hour.

...

see full article on the MDB website

Bircho

15-06-2021 13:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike_dublin (Post 132962)

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...ighthouse.html

see full article on the MDB website

So the buses run every hour. Passenger can hop off and onto the next bus without the need for another ticket. So long as the journey doesn't take more than hour. Is it just me or have they invented time travel?

Sparky

15-06-2021 14:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bircho (Post 132963)

I agree, this has confused me too :confused::confused:.

Julian Simms

16-06-2021 10:37

According to a friend of mine, vehicle owners who can prove (by sending a copy of the bill to the authorities) that they have spent money at bars, restaurants or beach services are allowed to go as far as the beach.

How this will work with hire cars is beyond me, but no doubt a “solution” will be found.

All I can say is Good Luck !

Sparky

16-06-2021 13:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julian Simms (Post 132967)

This caused chaos yesterday apparently :eek:. Seems like it's a case of right hand/ left hand ;).

Julian Simms

17-06-2021 09:24

Apropos to my previous comment, my friend has told me that a copy of a receipt from the beach parking will also suffice.

Not only that, if a vehicle goes before 10am and doesn’t return untill after 7pm, it’s not registered on the camera so no fines or restrictions can be or are issued.

Miller

17-06-2021 11:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sparky (Post 132969)

This caused chaos yesterday apparently :eek:. Seems like it's a case of right hand/ left hand ;).

Do you mean locals driving on the right and Brits on the left. I can see this would cause confusion.

mike_dublin

19-07-2021 13:59

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...hthouse-2.html

Quote:

About a month ago, access to Formentor was restricted between km 2 and the beach and from the beach to the lighthouse between 10:00 and 19:00, but that hasn’t stopped people visiting the lighthouse.

The gauging data recorded by the DGT registration meters at the beginning of the restricted section and on the beach, reveals that the bulk of trips by private vehicle to the beach occur between 10:00-19:00 and most are at dusk. 113,177 trips were recorded on the road between June 15 and July 17.

Restrictions have been in place between the beach and Formentor lighthouse since 2018 and they were extended to cover the entire road this year, for the first time.

Only previously authorised vehicles, such as workers and residents of the restricted area, reduced mobility vehicles, emergency services and the Formentor shuttle can travel between the beach and the lighthouse during restricted hours.

Drivers who only drive from Puerto Pollença to the beach can request authorisation ...

The aim is to raise awareness amongst visitors and residents so that they use the shuttle instead of private vehicles to visit Formentor.

The restrictions at Formentor will remain in force until September 15.

see full article on the MDB website

Sparky

29-01-2022 15:37

Changes to restrictions this year. Between June 15 and September 15 it will be closed from 10am to 10.30pm.

roig cat

02-02-2022 14:05

Can anyone confirm, if the rust open and free for cars in April?

mike_dublin

26-04-2022 10:45

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...formentor.html

Quote:

Roadworks on Formentor access road
...

In September 2021, the Balearic Port Authority announced that urgent repairs were required after an embankment collapsed and work was also needed on part of the access road to the lighthouse.

Work has been underway for weeks and it's not likely to be completed until mid-June, but hundreds of drivers are just ignoring the signs that the road is closed due to road works, then they get trapped for hours and can’t go back towards the beach because there’s so many cars it’s impossible to turn around.

see full article and pictures on the MDB website

mike_dublin

09-06-2022 07:59

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...t-june-23.html

Quote:

Traffic restrictions from Puerto Pollensa to Formentor beach and to the lighthouse will start on June 23 and not on June 15 as in previous years. The later start is due to roadworks that have in any event meant a road closure; these roadworks are scheduled to be completed by June 22.

The restrictions will apply each day from 10am to 10.30pm until September 15. ...

Private cars will be able to go as far as the beach, but proof of a purchase (e.g. a ticket for the car park) will need to be produced in order to avoid a fine. Camera readers will be operating. ... There will be information for drivers in Puerto Pollensa.

Beyond the beach, access will be very limited, e.g. to cyclists and the shuttle bus from Puerto Pollensa, which will run until 10.30pm.

see full article on the MDB website

kcdc230

18-03-2023 15:01

We’re travelling to PP in three weeks time for our first non-July/August trip for a good few years. From what I’ve read in this thread, am I right in understanding that we can drive to the lighthouse at this time of year?

Gommar Goffer

19-03-2023 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcdc230 (Post 136547)

There have been lots of work being done on the Cabo de Formentor road due to maintenance and damage and therefore the road has been closed to traffic. I will try to find out what the state of play is atm

kcdc230

19-03-2023 10:15

Oh, that’s very kind of you. We’re bringing my 89 year old mother in law to PP for her first visit and her first overseas holiday in many years, so we’ve put together an itinerary of our highlights of 22 years of visiting Mallorca, and would certainly like to get her to the lighthouse if possible :o

mike_dublin

16-04-2024 08:33

While the road to the lighthouse in Formentor is currently open, it seems quite hazardous at times.

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...c-chaos-1.html

Quote:

Calls to introduce the restrictions earlier

...
Despite the insistence of the local authorities, the Traffic department has maintained the established deadlines, which run from June 1 to the 30 September 30.

...

On Saturday morning, traffic on the Formentor road was dense and even dangerous due to the large number of cyclists riding in both directions, along with cars and other motor vehicles.

...

see full article and video on the MDB website

Rockape

16-04-2024 16:15

Yes, I cycle to the Lighthouse at various times of the year and there are now certain times that I avoid....on a bike! Seriously, you can't believe some of the carnage on that route during busy periods. My advice would be to either go between Oct-March only, but if you do go when its busy, get up at the crack of dawn and go straight there. Perhaps, it might be better to go when the route is closed....get to Formentor carpark early and catch the bus for a stress free drive.

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