- The PP’s Ana Serna demands the immediate removal of the AP-7 toll in Vega Baja, Alicante.
- Vega Baja remains the only comarca in alicante province still paying the AP-7 toll, despite government promises.
- The toll cost rises in summer when traffic congestion on N-332 worsens, affecting families and tourists.
- Calls for urgent widening of N-332 due to high seasonal traffic reaching 55,000 vehicles per day.
- Criticism of the Spanish Government’s lack of investment and support compared to regional efforts by the Consell de Carlos Mazón.
- Concerns raised over Alicante province’s poor funding and infrastructure neglect in national budgets.
PP Calls for Immediate Removal of AP-7 toll in Vega Baja Amid Rising Transport Concerns
Ana Serna, the secretary general of the PP in the province of alicante and vice president of the Diputación, has publicly urged the Spanish Government to remove the AP-7 toll in the vega Baja region. This demand comes amid growing frustration over broken promises and increasing transportation challenges facing residents and visitors in this key tourist and transit area.
Vega Baja – The Only Comarca Still Paying the AP-7 Toll
According to Ana Serna, Vega Baja is the sole comarca within Alicante province where drivers must still pay the toll on the AP-7 highway. “The PSOE promised to eliminate a toll that remains active. It’s time to stop lying and misleading citizens,” Serna stated.She emphasized that this toll impacts daily commutes and travel to vital destinations like Cartagena, especially during high-traffic tourist seasons.
Increased Costs and Congestion During Summer Months
serna also denounced the toll price hikes during summer, when the neighboring N-332 road near Torrevieja experiences severe congestion. The N-332 can reach up to 55,000 vehicles per day during peak periods. Despite this heavy traffic, the government has yet to undertake important infrastructure improvements such as expanding the N-332 to ease congestion.
Key Issues Highlighted:
- Summer toll increases that further burden families and travelers.
- High daily traffic volumes (up to 55,000 vehicles) on N-332, compounding congestion problems.
- Demand for urgent road expansion to improve flow and safety.
Critique of Government’s Infrastructure Investment
Serna criticized the Spanish government led by Pedro Sánchez for “abandoning the vertebración” (connectivity and cohesion) of Vega Baja, contrasting it with the proactive investments by the Consell de Carlos Mazón, such as the expansion of the CV-95 road. She called on the Ministry of Transport to fulfill its commitments on improving the N-332 and removing the AP-7 toll.
Funding Disparity for Alicante Province
Beyond transport, Ana serna also questioned whether Alicante would continue to be “the worst-funded province in Spain” under the state’s General Budget. She pointed out that:
| Statistic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Population Rank | 4th in Spain with nearly 2 million residents |
| Economic Contribution | Over 4% of national wealth |
| Funding Received | Six times less than deserved |
She called the systematic underfunding “unacceptable” and said it must end to allow for better public services and infrastructure investment in alicante.
What’s Next for Vega Baja?
The Popular Party’s demands highlight growing public impatience for tangible improvements in transport infrastructure and fair funding. with summer tourism and local traffic increasing yearly, removing the AP-7 toll and expanding key roads like the N-332 are seen as critical steps.
Residents, businesses, and local politicians will likely continue pressing the Spanish government for swift action. Until then,the region faces ongoing transportation challenges and economic strain due to toll costs and congested roads.
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