Access restrictions to Cala del Moraig: this will be the new vehicle control

Benitatxell wants to protect one of its most precious assets: the Moraig cove and the entire natural environment of the SCI Penya-segats de la Marina, where the considerable increase in visitors has endangered the balance of the environment.

To alleviate the lack of control and overcrowding in recent years, given the scenic beauty of the area and the repercussions in the media and social networks, the solution proposed by the City Council is resounding and decisive: establish a modern vehicle control system that prevents overload and degradation of the environment and, at the same time, promote energy savings and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

The government team has been working on this project for almost two years, since in June 2020 the memory of the 'La Cala del Moraig Access Control Project' was approved in plenary session to request a grant with European funds, whose concession was confirmed in June 2021 for a value of 252.685 euros. It is, specifically, the subsidy program for unique projects of local entities that favor the transition to a low-carbon economy, framed in the ERDF funds for sustainable growth 2014-2020 of the Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE) .

So now, finally, after the procedures for drafting the project (in charge of the company Pmus & Civil), the bidding process and the award of the work, work is going to begin to implement this new system, which has been presented this Wednesday through a public assembly attended by residents of Cumbre del Sol. The work, awarded to the company MOA (Mediterráneo de Obras y Asfaltos SA) for 651.206,15 euros (VAT not included), will begin starting next Monday, April 25 and it is expected, if everything goes according to plan, that they will be finished for the summer season.

Paid parking, license plate reading and reservation App

The main axis of this project is the vehicle control system that will be established in the upper part of the cove, just before the entrance to the current parking area. From this point, visitors will only be able to access on foot, with the exception of authorized vehicles (emergency, public transport, maritime rescue, etc.).

A camera with license plate reading and sensors will identify all the vehicles that are going to access the beach. From that moment they will be registered in an express municipal platform for the management of this system. For their part, users will be able to download an App for pre-booking places and authorizations that will include a payment platform. In addition, the system will also have a ticket vending machine.

In order to achieve one of the main objectives of the project, which is to promote energy saving and the reduction of emissions, the aim is to prevent private vehicles from traveling when the environment is complete. For this reason, users will be provided with real-time information on occupation, either from the web and mobile application, or through information panels on the main access routes.

This will avoid travel if there is no availability, or will force you to choose an alternative travel method, such as the shuttle bus offered free of charge by the City Council. This application will also allow parking reservations, so that users can schedule the visit and have
Your place is guaranteed.

There will be more than twenty seats reserved for residents and residents of the municipality, who, upon request, will be exempt from payment. The management of temporary accesses will also be allowed upon request on the platform. For example, for people with reduced mobility, residents during the winter season, special events, etc.

Any vehicle registered by the license plate reader that lacks authorization may be sanctioned. In addition, at all times, the access of vehicles will be authorized for a certain time that allows the unloading or collection of visitors. After this time, if the vehicle has not been identified at the exit or the parking payment has not been made, a sanction proposal will be generated.

Information panels and environmental sensors

A total of 6 information panels will be installed at different strategic points (entrance and exit of the cove, pedestrian access, urban center and the main access roads from the neighboring municipalities) to avoid unnecessary displacement if the cove is full. In the case of availability of places, the panels will indicate the number of vacancies available, which will allow a rational and decongested use of the natural environment.

The parking lot will consist of 320 parking spaces for vehicles (152 in line, 83 oblique and 71 in battery), 10 spaces for vehicles for people with reduced mobility, 4 spaces for electric vehicles and 10 spaces for motorcycles. There will also be an area for bicycles.

Another of the actions to control pollution emissions will be the implementation of environmental sensors that will allow air conditions to be evaluated. In addition, they will also record environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity.

Improvement of the environment

The work also includes the improvement of the access roads and the redistribution of traffic. Thus, the pavement will be repaired in some of the most deteriorated areas, and a mini roundabout will be projected at the intersection of the Encinas area in order to regulate traffic, increasing road safety.

The Cala del Moraig road will become one-way in the last section, specifically from the aforementioned Encinas access to the current parking area.

Therefore, this section will only be for access to the Cala, with the vehicles exiting through the Travesía de la Cala. This change will allow a more controlled access to the cove, since the entrance and exit will have a single itinerary. In addition, being one way, new parking areas will be added, both in line and oblique. Similarly, the Travesía de la Cala del Moraig will also become one-way, and new online parking areas will be added.