One way only traffic in Javea; but which way?

JAVEA Councillor Oscar Anton visited British Supermarket Iceland in Javea to investigate a a side street that is two-way traffic at one end, but only one-way at the other, without a break in the middle.

Situated on the supermarket main entrance, the street not only creates confusing problems for drivers who consider they have the right of way but without warning find themselves confronted with traffic advancing in the opposite direction, but has also totally denied the supermarket its much needed council rubbish collection services.

Oscar Anton, leader of the new Xabia Democratica party, was told by Iceland management that the council had informed them that although council trucks can drive into the street to collect rubbish, the loading point is on the wrong side of the vehicle and it is too dangerous for their drivers to turn around or reverse in or out.

After several attempts to solve the problem during which public street bins were moved closer to the supermarket to reduce the carrying distance, then removed as complaints were received claiming them to be  hazardous to road safety, it was suggested that the street be redefined as a genuine one way system.

But the question then arose, which way is one way?

And that is where somewhere within Javea town hall corridors of bureaucratic power the great debate has finally become bogged down.

Meanwhile, Iceland staff are forced to carry their waste material at least five times daily to public bins situated around 600 metres away. A spokesman for the supermarket said all they ask is to be granted the same facilities other supermarkets receive within the standard town hall rubbish collection services.

Councillor Anton said that if he had not personally experienced the situation firsthand he would have considered the story to be a joke or an urban myth.

He added that industrial waste, as supermarkets are categorised, can also form a health hazard, especially in the summer months, if dumped in standard public bins. He promised to present Iceland’s case in the strongest possible terms at the next council meeting yesterday (Thursday).

By Benny Davis