ARTA
WITH the aim of improving the safety of roads in Arta and in response to a series of demands made over a considerable period of time by the local Town Council, the Council of Majorca is to invest 1'100'000 euros in the construction of three roundabouts at various points in the area where roads converge. The move will serve to decongest traffic and keep it flowing more smoothly.

The most costly part of the project is the link-up of the C-712 (Arta to Alcudia Port) and the C-715 (Palma to Cala Rajada). This step forward will substantially free up traffic circulating in streets Santa Margalida, 31 de Marzo and Argentina, thereby improving the general road safety of these areas.

The construction of the roundabouts on both highways will additionally mean that traffic approaching Arta will be forced to travel at a slower speed. The cost of the project is estimated at 800'000 euros.

Ecologist drive

ISLAND-WIDE
THE Republican Left Party of Catalonia (ERC) which enjoys a political presence in the Balearics, is planning to draw together ecologist groups and pro-conservationist citizens of Majorca, so that they can confront the development policies of the Balearic government led by the Partido Popular under Jaume Matas.

The campaign was publicly announced at an Environmental congress organised by ERC in Majorca last weekend. Key figures at the event included Eurodeputy Bernat Joan; ERC Secretary, Xavier Andreu; and president of the Balearic branch of ERC, Joan Lladó.

On Sunday morning, ERC representatives visited Puig de Santa Magdalena in Inca to see the “countryside carnage” which, they claim, is being wrought as a result of the present government's road-building policy.

Communal bonfire

CAMPOS
F OR the first time, the Santa Catalina festival united different neighbourhood associations in Campos round the same street bonfire. Local groups joined forces in plaza de sa Creu where they lit four bonfires to celebrate the occasion. Each of the organisations set up a stall from where cakes, sweets and liqueurs were served. Hundreds of townspeople gathered in the square and approached as close as they dared to feel the warmth of the bonfires.

Ministry takeover

PETRA
THE Balearic government has acquired the old Can Real building in Petra with the aim of converting it for public health purposes.
The Treasury and Heritage department have paid a total of 415'000 euros to the owners of Can Real for the property. However, the responsibility for management of the premises will pass to the ministry of the President's Office.

Ministry sources have confirmed that initially, the building will be used for associations for the elderly, but because the property offers so many possibilities, other projects have not been discounted.

Due to the urgent need for repair, the first step is for the ministry to carry out a full refurbishment of Can Real and, as that proceeds, other uses for the building will become clear.

Cultural birthday

INCA
A cultural promotion group in Inca Obra cultural Balear (OCB), celebrated the 30th anniversary of its creation with a luncheon on Puig de Santa Magdalena in Inca at the weekend.

The Inca delegation of the OCB was set up in 1974 and by 1975 it had set in motion once more the traditional foguerons (bonfires) of Santa Maria la Major. Other cultural focal points the group has brought to life are the Rua masked dance, and the Lantern festival.

A continuing saga

MANACOR
THE Workers Commission (CCOO) is to propose to local government and to representatives of employees at the Majorica artificial pearl company in Manacor, that the commitments made by the management for the relaunch of the company be set down in front of a notary. CCOO Union Actionleader, Ginés Díaz, claimed yesterday that the owners of the pearl company have not kept their part of the bargain in terms of guaranteeing jobs and working conditions; and neither, claim the Union, have the owners officially secured vital extra funding of 4.5 million euros.

Last week a copy of a cheque was faxed to the Balearic government indicating that extra capital had been found for Majorica by banking agents of a Korean religious sect. The funds, however, were drawn on an American bank, so the cheque would need to be returned to the USA for verification and subsequently a transfer made.