Lorry drivers oppose plans to force them off N-332

TRANSPORT companies and lorry drivers have dismissed plans forcing them to use the motorway and avoid the N-332 in certain parts of the Valencia Region.

As reported in last week’s Euro Weekly News, the Ministry of Public Works is planning to ban heavy lorries from using certain parts of the N-332, with all vehicles weighing more than 7.5 tonnes when loaded being forced to use the AP-7 motorway.

The move is a bid to remove vehicles from one of the busiest roads in Spain, one that is notorious for its accident black spots. Talks are in place to lower the price of tolls on the motorway for lorries by 50 per cent on compulsory sections and by 35 per cent on others, but the news has still been criticised by the industry with drivers saying they are not willing to pay tolls.

Secretary General of the Alicante sector of employers Fetrama, Francisco Ortiz, said there is “total disagreement” towards the idea of forcing drivers to take the motorway with the plans only providing “additional costs” for professionals.