The Infrastructure Ministry of the Spanish Central Government has confirmed the installation of road signs to reinforce the warnings of the potential dangers of a notorious junction on the N-332 in Santa Pola.
The local council had requested action in January, wanting the installation of rumble strips and signs at the location near to an abandoned hotel at kilometre 88 of the N-332, where traffic crosses on a curve, with reduced visibility, in order to access and egress the town´s main through route.
The local council also wanted to divert drivers away from this junction, by recommending the use of the access road to the CV-865, which offers a much safer alternative than the current “black spot”.
The Ministry has declined the request for rumble strips as these are not compatible near residential areas, on account of the noise disturbance to residents. They have also declined the request to provide alternative route signs, as this is not possible under the technical regulations of road signage.
They will however install signs warning of the increased potential danger at the junction, so as to make more drivers aware of the need for taking extra precautions.
The location is still part of a planning proposal to revise the junction and make access safer, with a substantial budget already prepared, but the consultation has not yet taken place as other locations have been taking priority. Following the most recent incident only last week, the local council is asking for the government to give a higher priority to this project in order to prevent other serious incidents in the future.
No timescale has been given for the installation of the signs.
