The Gremi de Garatges de Barcelona i Provincia also regrets the recent warning from Mayor Jaume Collboni's government to restrict access to the center by private vehicle in case of collapse during these Christmas holidays.
“We understand that in an exceptional moment the City Council is forced to restrict access to the center – says Xavier Ferrer, president of this union – but we do not think it is appropriate for it to give these alarmist messages. The people of Barcelona have already changed their habits. Most people approach the center by public transport. But visitors to the metropolitan area need a private vehicle. With these messages we only get them to make their purchases in another city. Barcelona has the necessary infrastructure to handle this traffic. "The problems of two weeks ago respond above all to the coincidence of several demonstrations."
The Gremi de Garatjes de Barcelona i Provincia groups together 594 public and private car parks with 119,635 spaces, most of them in the city.
The controversy broke out on Monday, when in the presentation of the municipal mobility and security plan for these holidays, Deputy Mayor Albert Batlle warned that access to the center by private vehicle could be restricted in the event of collapse. The next day Barcelona Oberta, the entity that brings together the main commercial hubs of the city, wrote to Deputy Mayor Batlle to let him know of his deep discomfort. “Barcelona has a sufficient parking network to accommodate buyers from the metropolitan area who want to access it by car to carry their purchases comfortably,” the letter says. We understand the convenience of residents' use of public transportation, but this announcement generates unnecessary and counterproductive alarm for the most anticipated commercial campaign of the year."
Those from the garages will write to Mayor Collboni and Deputy Mayor Batlle – and also to Laia Bonet, the Deputy Mayor for Urban Planning – this Monday.
