- Torrevieja Promises Minimal Sanctions in Future Low-Emission Zones
Torrevieja City Council has launched a tender worth €87,200 (VAT included) for the drafting of its low-emission zone (LEZ) project, funded through the ‘NextGenerationEU’ Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan.
The Council, having already requested an extension for the LEZ implementation, has set a five-month timeframe for preparing the project.
Initially, the city received a €430,000 grant for the LEZ and an additional €157,000 for complementary measures, with a strict execution deadline of June 30. Unable to meet this, the Council requested an extension until December 31.
Given the tender’s timeline and the award process, the project draft is unlikely to be completed before late September. The tender outlines three phases: Phase I involves public participation (one month), Phase II requires submitting the project draft (four months), and Phase III finalises the complete project. Phases I and II can proceed simultaneously.
Strict penalties are outlined for delays: very serious breaches (over five months delay) incur fines between €1,500 and €3,000; serious breaches (delays over three months or one month in Phase II) carry penalties of €801 to €1,500; minor breaches, including slight delays or poor service conditions, range from €200 to €800.
The final LEZ plan must define access and parking restrictions, emphasising improvements for pedestrian and bicycle traffic. However, traffic limitations will only be introduced under specific conditions, such as congestion or when pollution thresholds are surpassed. The City Council insists that sanctions will be rare and only applied in exceptional cases.
Additionally, the project must propose the installation of environmental sensors, fixed access controls like cameras and meters, parking sensors, and management systems for loading zones and urban logistics.
