Opponents to work on road win the day

The Council of Majorca's public works department has decided to withdraw plans to reform the Sineu-Sant Joan road, following considerable opposition to the project. Department head Antoni Pascual blamed Sineu's Mayor, Andreu Matas, for stirring up “a political row” over the project, which would have led to the improvement of a 5.3 kilometre stretch of the road, at a cost of 1.8 million euros. Pascual said that the Sineu council had presented one of the nine allegations against the project. It was backed by nearly 1'000 signatures of Sineu residents, and criticised the Council of Majorca for “putting politicial interests above those of citizens.” The main objection was a change in the existing route of the road at the point known as Puig de Son Cantagall. The petition also criticises the “brutal impact” which the improvements would have on several estates owned by people from Sineu. Pascual, who was accompanied by the director for roads, Gonzalo Aguilar, said that reforms to this stretch of road, “a fundamental element for linking the bay of Alcudia with the Migjorn area,” had been demanded by Sant Joan residents, particularly after the construction of the new Sineu school, which is attended by many children from Sant Joan. Many parents expressed concern at the narrowness of the road, which would have been widened to two lanes in each direction under the Council's plans. Pascual said that the Council of Majorca was prepared to modify plans if needed, but would not clash with a municipality. “If one of the parties is opposed, the political will is to withdraw the project.” Pascual said that talks would be held with the Mayor of Sineu, but criticised his stance, saying “let's hope that there are no accidents” through failure to carry out the improvements. The director for roads added that the project would allow maximum speeds of 80kph.