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CostaBlancaPeople 29th November - 5th December 2022
29TH NOVEMBER - 5TH DECEMBER - EDITION 969
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Bikers discouraged from ‘Pedrera’ road with new speed bumps installed The government has placed twelve large speed ramps on the road around Pedrera reservoir in an effort to prevent what they described as illegal races. The works, now completed, saw an €180,000 investment in several traffic calming measures on the CV-950. This particular
stretch of road is frequented by many bikers and cyclists, and the government wants to put an end to speeding and the high volume of resulting accidents. As well as the speed bumps, the investment was also used to install several ‘viewpoints’ and rest areas along the winding road.
The reservoir is a huge tourist attraction in itself, its startling turquoise waters standing out in the arid landscape. The surrounding road, which looks down onto the spectacular lake, attracts hikers, cyclists and bikers who travel from all around to enjoy the winding route, full of curves that are particularly enjoyed by motorcycle enthusiasts. The CV-950 has an average daily traffic of only 431 vehicles per day along its 7,145-metre length and is particularly popular at weekends. Guardia Civil say that it is a frequent black spot for serious accidents and illegal motorbike racing. To prevent speeding, the Ministry of Territorial Policy, Public Works and Mobility, with an investment of 180,000 euros and two months of works, has placed 12 speed bumps both in the approach area of the viewpoints and beside the main dam. In this way, “it is changed to a tourist use, since this
itinerary is used by a large number of cyclists and tourists of other nationalities,” said officials. Officials also said that one of the objectives of the Department is “to improve road safety on the roads, as well as the maintenance and enhancement of the surrounding areas, especially in places with special scenic charm.” For this reason, the project included the construction of three viewpoints and the conditioning of three laybys, with rest areas with views of the reservoir. In addition, a protection fence has been placed in these areas, as well as litter bins and wooden benches. “These elements are separated from the parking area and perfectly integrated with the landscape,” they said. However welcome the news might be to tourists, the move is not going down so well with motorcycle clubs. For years, groups of motorcycle enthusiasts from
nearby areas have used this environment as a regular meeting point, especially on Sundays. They say that it is a good road for motorcycles, not only because of its curves, but because it is a through road. Most, they say, meet friends, do a couple of laps and continue on their way. One biker said “There’s a good atmosphere among everyone, except for some who do speed. They acknowledged that illegal races might take place at night or on weeks with ‘tuned car’ owners, but they feel that bikers are not at fault here and are being punished by the installation of the speed bumps.