Scrapped tolls will save millions

'Residents quality of life and the region's mobility is improved' says Valencia president Ximo Puig

THE AP-7 motorway between Alicante and Tarragona went toll-free at midnight on New Year’s Eve after 48 years operating as a pay-to-use highway.

Scrapping the tolls will save residents of Elche alone around €10 million per year, according to mayor Carlos González.

He said it was a historic achievement after decades of campaigning to end what was ‘a charge for all Valencia region residents, especially those in the south, and a severe limitation to the integration of the area’.

He noted that the savings were based on calculations by the ministry for public works, and in addition to this the move will decongest roads including the N-340, improving safety.

Not only will it benefit the transport sector, whose drivers cover routes between Elche, Valencia, Castellón and Tarragona every day, but also people making private journeys from Elche to Valencia and further afield – or municipalities in the north of Alicante province.

The government calculates that truckers will save between €2,000 and €2,500 per vehicle and transport companies will save 4-5% of their costs.

“Many ordinary drivers will be able to improve their journeys in private vehicles by taking a road that they had not used until now due to the cost,” said Sr González.

“Moreover, the motorway being free improves our connection with coastal municipalities in our province, such as Altea, Benidorm, Jávea or Dénia.”

Regional president Ximo

Puig said the move will improve residents’ quality of life as well as mobility in the region.

He noted that ‘at last’ Spain has a government which was prepared to take the decision not to renew the concession with the private company that built the highway.

Sr Puig vowed that his coalition government will work with the ministry of public works to extend the connections to the motorway.

“For economic reasons many people were not able to use this road and now they will be able to have the access that they deserve,” he said.

The national government now has to dismantle the toll booths which stand at various points along the 367kms of highway which is free to use.