Wheels turn in Jávea town and port parking
Drivers offered a 'self-regulation' system to rotate parking spaces
DRIVERS are being offered 'self-regulation' in a parking revolution in key streets of Javea’s old town and port.
At the request of business associations, from Tuesday a new system will operate encouraging motorists to engage in a system designed to offer a rotation of parking spaces, which allows them to use shops and services before leaving and allowing the next customer to park.
Some 200 parking spaces will be part of the scheme which will involve a little goodwill – rather than ‘God willing’ – from August 21... and after a bedding in period, local police will fine overstaying drivers €80, especially if they cheat and alter an ‘arrival time’ without moving away.
Special and free cardboard clocks will remind drivers the time they pulled into a vacant space and they will be given an hour to conduct their business; a system that has proved successful in other parts of Europe.
The streets affected in the old town are: Plaza Celestino Pons, Calle Sor María Gallant, Calle San Joaquín, Ronda Sur, Ronda Norte, Avenida Principe de Asturias, Calle Buenaire, and Calle Doctor Burrell. In Jávea port, Avenida Jaume I and Plaza Adolfo Suárez are part of the plan.
To help the change shift into gear, loading and unloading hours are also changed. In the historic centre this will be limited to 08.00 to 11.00 and in the port from 08.00 to 10.00.
The scheme will operate each day until 14.00 and between 17.00 and 21.00, when restrictions will be lifted and also to allow residents to park.
Councillor Pepa Gilbert said such 'self-regulation' schemes had proved 'very successful' in European countries including France.
The town hall has agreed that restrictions will not apply during siesta periods and at night but the intention was to boost trade for businesses.
Mayor Jose Chulvi said it was a pilot scheme and "should prove to be a friendly system and doesn’t seek to sanction; but is making better use of already limited parking in these zones.”
The cardboard clocks are available from Tourist Information Offices and participating businesses and will work in a similar manner to disabled blue badges.