Constanza Sanchez
The Association of Neighbors San José de Logroño has considered this Saturday «positive» the mobility changes that have been generated in the neighborhood, although they have criticized «delays» and «lack of technical control» in the works carried out and also demand some improvements that have not been implemented.
In a written document that the association has made known before the upcoming visit of the officials of the City Council of Logroño to the reforms carried out in the entrances and exits to the neighborhood, it is pointed out that «we consider the changes made to be very positive».
Thus, they begin by enumerating «the improvement in visibility and the reduction of motor vehicle speed make the crossings of entry and exit to our neighborhood safer».
They also state that «more spacious areas for pedestrians and stay areas have been generated that can be used to improve coexistence» and «the nearby shops and hospitality venues have gained space and have seen nearby parking spaces eliminated that improve the conditions of terraces and shop windows».
Likewise, they acknowledge that «the number of bike and motorcycle parking spaces near pedestrian crossings has been increased, which also helps improve their visibility and prevent accidents».
«All the reformed areas – they add – have improved accessibility conditions for people with physical disabilities, allowing those who use wheelchairs or have reduced vision to move with better safety conditions».
CRITICISMS.
However, they also raise criticisms, emphasizing that «we have reached all of the above after works that have not met the execution deadlines, with the consequent damage to residents, merchants, and hospitality businesses, and without any consequences for the awarded company».
In addition, they believe that «the technical control by municipal technicians has been practically nonexistent, both in terms of execution times and in terms of the conditions of the work».
Thus, they state that «we have suffered from the lack of safety signage in the different phases of the work, construction material scattered throughout the neighborhood without control and without proper protection, periods of work stoppage or with very few workers on site».
They also mention «opening of vehicle and pedestrian circulation areas without proper signage or without the security conditions being met, reforms that showed defects a few days later, and the placement of provisional signs that were dangerous due to their lack of safety in terms of fixation to the ground».
CLAIMS.
Nevertheless, they state that «we will accompany, as it cannot be otherwise, the officials of the City Council of Logroño on this end-of-work visit, but we request the replacement of tiles that have been replaced by cement on Beatos Mena and Navarrete streets, installation of urban furniture in the new stay areas generated at several intersections».
They also demand «repainting of pedestrian crossings that are almost faded at several intersections, bike lane signage at two pedestrian crossings on Luis de Ulloa street so that bicycle users can access and exit safely without having to dismount on their journeys to and from the University of La Rioja, installation of new bike and motorcycle parking areas before pedestrian crossings in more areas of the neighborhood».
Finally, they ask for «control of motorcycles, cars, and vans parked improperly in corners, double-parked, and on the sidewalks in our area, speed control on interior and peripheral streets, and a definitive solution to the situation of double bike lanes in some sections of Luis de Ulloa street, which poses a considerable safety risk for circulation on said street».
