New Road Plans

whaleywanderer · #1 11-05-2008, 10:56

On our most recent visit to PP we were having a meal at Sinbads on the front and got talking to the owner, she told us that the road in front of her restaurant is due to be pedestrianised in July.

I wonder if the pedestrianised area is due to stretch from the main roundabout where the taxi and bus stops are, right down to where the new by-pass starts and how it will be welcomed by the locals and tourists.

A good topic for discussion??

JH02JLH · #2 11-05-2008, 11:43

Hi whaley,

For some reason I always thought that this area was going to be pedestrianised. I know there was a mention of it early on in the bypass thread below:

http://www.forum.puertopollensa.com/...ead.php?t=1702

I think it would be a great idea!

Jane

debz1 · #3 11-05-2008, 11:50

Very interesting!!

There have been rumours about this for quite a while and I personally think it would be fantastic if they pedestrianised this part of the road. The pavement is far too narrow and you often have to walk in the road to 'overtake ' people.Also cars and scooters are driven far too fast, by some , along this stretch. I'm not sure how it would work for access for deliveries to the bars and restaurants , unless they put in a service road, as there is no access from the road behind.

I can't imagine it will be happening in July though as it will be major works that wouldn't be allowed in the height of the season.

I'm all for it especialy as our apartment is nearby

and can only think it will be an improvement both from an aesthetic and safety aspect.

Debs

Belladonna · #4 11-05-2008, 17:22

I do think it would be a change for the better in this case. Having been around when they changed Port de Alcudia to being pedestrianised, I can see that as long as they have flowers etc so its not just a huge expanse of concrete, it should work well.
I agree with you debs that its a bit confusing re deliveries though, but in Alcudia, they are actually allowed to use the pedestrianised area for deliveries.

Sharonh · #5 11-05-2008, 18:38

When we bought our apartment last year the estate agent told us that this would be happening. The concept is essentialy a second Pine Walk. I think it will be an excellent development for the Port.

Lala70w · #6 12-05-2008, 08:07

Sounds good - wonder how would port traffic would get in then? And how would traffic get along the old Formentor Road?

Lala

Golfaholics · #7 12-05-2008, 08:59

This really is good news and hopefully will lead to an overall upgrading of the area including the marina. However I have to agree with Debz that it is unlikely to happen in July at the height of the summer season. They could I suppose simply close the seafront road to traffic once the bypass is fully operational and then do the work in theautumn/winter.

Have any members of the forum who live in PP any more specific news?

its cd · #8 12-05-2008, 19:47

LaLa

The idea is that only service traffic and access traffic would need to use the old formentor road ....... another great positive

Disorderly · #9 12-05-2008, 20:43

I can see the appeal of a pedestrianised seafront from a tourist perspective, but one of the attractions of PP to me is the fact that it's a "real place". If you come well out of season, as we do, people actually live here, and go about their daily business.

I think it's all well and good turning places into every "Brit's" favourite resort, but once you start pedestrianising areas I think that you will find McDonald's vying with Kentucky Fried Ferret, a couple of "authentic" English Fish & Chip shops and then we might as well all clear off to Blackpool to enjoy the "real deal"!

Forgive me for my cynicism but I would prefer places to be inconvenient but authentic.

Welcome to Costa de Mallorca!

Lala70w · #10 12-05-2008, 22:13

Thanks CD - I just couldn't see how the Port authority traffic would get in.

Sounds like a safer alternative than all these tourists trying to cross the middle of the roundabout/ stepping off the pavement/ looking the wrong way - LOL!

Bet the restaurants/ shops are delighted. I think this could be good.

Lala

Belladonna · #11 12-05-2008, 22:26

Can certainly see both sides on this one. As you have probably gathered from some of my other posts, I am not a great lover of change, whether its termed as "progress" or not. I have worried in the past about the North becoming as commercialised as the South and unfortunately I do believe it is happening.
Once the ball starts rolling it is impossible to halt. As you say, its fine for the tourist season and for those who like that feel, but Im sure those of us who have opted for the North of the island would really prefer to see it stay a lot more in its original entity.
Admitttedly it makes life easier getting around, but my fondest memories over the years have been those which included hair raising drives, pot holes in the roads, panic when the electrics shut down (ok, so they may not be among the "fondest" group) and many others that were totally different from the experiences in England.
Im glad that some people feel the same way, but unfortunately its not us who decide the islands future, even though we spend a lot of our hard earned cash there!

whaleywanderer · #12 12-05-2008, 22:47

Speaking to the owner of Simbads she was very skeptical and was worried that it may change the ambiance of the area, but commented that they would have to wait and see.

PeRu · #13 13-05-2008, 00:24

Hi Belladonna,
I agree wholeheartedly with you.
Ove 37 years I have seen many changes in the village, some good, some bad.
I guess the Powers that Be feel that mowt of the traffic will just use the new road rather than come into the village. It's just another nail in the coffin.
In the days before that end of the front was developed, we used to go to El Torre for something warming after sailing or windsurfing. Then, you litteraly sat next to the road. We managed to do this in complete safety.
Perhaps it is being taken a little too far.

PeRu

Belladonna · #14 13-05-2008, 10:01

Such a shame isnt it Peru. This is one that we cant change by voting with our feet! In a Catch 22 position aswell! If they pedestrianise the front, then the new road behind us gets busier so we lose out there as well!
Ah, to win the lottery and buy a cute, well equiped villa just a little bit further inland!

James · #15 13-05-2008, 17:46

Having read some of the Spanish newspaper reports (these can be found at www.ajpollenca.net/noticies/premsa.ct.html) the project being discussed is actually on a much grander scale than suggested by this thread.

The proposal - which is still far from a reality - is to remove the entire bay road from Alcudia to Puerto Pollensa

! The area from the roundabout by the taxi rank until Llenaire would be pedestrianised and, beyond there, the beach would be expanded by the removal of the road around the bay until Alcudia so that it reaches up to the start of the Albufereta countryside.

The Mayor of Puerto Pollensa, Joan Cerda, has said that the project is still "embryonic" and has expressed some concern about it and the possible impact it would have on the municipality. He therefore wants a socio-economic study in order to find out what the effect of eliminating the "much used" bay road would have on the commercial life of Puerto Pollensa and he also wants to clarify where an alternative road would be laid and if it will affect many countryside villas in the municipality.

The parties are very keen to preserve the "rustic feel" of the area and at present none of the plans are concrete.