Toll-free cost for councils
Councils to lose thousand of euros in IBI tax from land used by toll firm
The removal of tolls from the AP-7 motorway will see towns lose out on large tax income
THE REMOVAL of tolls of the AP7 motorway, scheduled for January 1, will have quite an economic impact on the region's towns, through which the road passes, it has been revealed.
The concessionary company will cease paying more than half a million euros for Real Estate Tax (IBI) to various towns along the route.
Affected councils including Benissa, Ondara, El Verger, Gata de Gorgos, Els Poblets, Pedreguer and Calpe have been notified as they will no longer be able to charge the tax.
One of the towns that will be most affected by the cessation of the IBI payment will be Benissa, where, until now, they received around €230,000.
Another of the towns who will also be left without a tax injection will be Gata de Gorgos, specifically €120,000.
In Ondara, the figure amounts to €89,000 and El Verger the amount is around €40,000.
“It is a delicate situation because the belt will have to be tightened,” said the mayor of Benissa, Arturo Poquet.
In spite of this, he remarked that the news is still positive. “We must put into perspective the good and bad, because in the end many people will benefit because they can use the motorway for free," he said.
"It's a problem for municipal accounts, but we cannot complain, because we have always asked for the AP-7 to be free of tolls."
Gata de Gorgos will suffer an adverse effect however, as explained by the mayor, Josep Francesc Signes.
This year the town hall approved a rise in IBI.
“Two years ago, it dropped from 0.75 to 0.71, now we have returned to the former figure," he explained.
"The objective is that investments that have an impact on the town or local associations will not be cut."
Although the decision to reverse the AP7 motorway toll is supported by most of the region, central government is being reminded to 'not now neglect the condition of this road, which is so important for all'.