The recent changes in traffic circulation in Vilafranca del Penedès have been met with positive feedback from the local government and residents alike. Implemented in mid-July, these modifications aimed to calm traffic in the city center, particularly along the rambla de Nostra Senyora. The main changes involved reversing the direction of traffic on Cal Bolet and General Cortijo streets, with Cal Bolet now serving as an exit from the center and General Cortijo as an entrance.
After four weeks of the new traffic patterns, the local government reports a noticeable reduction in the volume of vehicles passing through the center via the rambla de Nostra Senyora. This decrease, from around 8,000 vehicles daily, has been seen as a positive outcome, especially considering that many of these vehicles were deemed unnecessary.
In addition to pacifying traffic, the changes have also led to a decrease in CO2 emissions in the central urban area. Accompanying the traffic modifications are improvements in signage and traffic lights to enhance pedestrian safety at intersections, particularly for vulnerable individuals such as the elderly, visually impaired, individuals with reduced mobility, and children. With approximately 5,000 people crossing daily between Plaça del Penedès and rambla de Sant Francesc, ensuring pedestrian safety is paramount.
The new traffic directions have also improved access to the underground parking at rambla Sant Francesc/plaça Penedès and increased the coverage and number of stops for the L1 and L2 bus lines. Furthermore, the revised vehicle route (av. Europa-Camp del Cellerot-General Cortijo) simplifies access to the center for residents, parking users, and goods delivery vehicles, while diverting traffic from the previous route (Santa Digna-Amàlia Soler-Cal Bolet-rambla Nostra Senyora).
Despite the positive reception from the local government, some municipal groups, such as Vilafranca en Comú and ERC, believe that the implemented measures have not achieved the desired effect and are urging the government to explore alternative solutions.
It is important to note that these changes were part of the Urban and Sustainable Mobility Plan approved unanimously by the Municipal Council in June 2022. The modifications are seen as a preliminary step towards the complete pacification of rambla de Nostra Senyora, which is planned for the medium term.
Expert mobility consultancy Doymo, in collaboration with the municipal departments of Public Safety, Urban Planning, and Mobility, had predicted positive outcomes from these changes to reduce motor traffic in the city center. This aligns with the recently completed Local Road Safety Plan 2024-2027, which mandates effective measures to enhance pedestrian and driver safety.
As promised, the local government will evaluate the traffic reduction in the area objectively after three months of the new traffic patterns and with the school year in full swing. The goal is to limit traffic on rambla de Nostra Senyora to residents, parking users, and goods delivery operators, while encouraging other residents to use alternative routes when driving into Vilafranca from various entry points.
With the start of the school year on September 9th, schools in the city center will ask families to accompany their children on foot and avoid using private vehicles to access the schools. If driving is necessary, utilizing nearby parking facilities is recommended. In the coming weeks, an informative campaign will be launched on social media and through local media outlets to promote alternative driving routes in Vilafranca.