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STAFF REPORTER INITIAL approval was given yesterday by the Council of Majorca for a 15-year plan to develop roads in the Balearics consisting of 64 more kilometres of dual carriageway and additional third lanes of already-constructed highways.

The motion was passed at a plenary session of the Council by 17 votes in favour of the Balearic Socialist Group PSIB, the left-wing “Bloc” coalition, and the Majorcan Unionist party, with abstentions by the Opposition Partido Popular (PP). Among the key projects are the creation of a second ringroad around Palma, and extensions of the Arenal motorway from Llucmajor to Campos, and a separate development from Manacor to Sant Llorenç. After yesterday's session, Territory Councillor Antoni Pascual said that the project now needs to be put out for public scrutiny for two months with consultations being made with the town councils which are directly affected. It also needs a report to be produced by the Balearic government and central government delegatation, as well as the approval of the Ministry for Public Works in Madrid. A study also needs to made on what environmental impact the road building works will have on the region. PP Transport spokesman, Mabel Cabrer described as “surprising” the fact that the ruling Socialist coalition had campaigned against many road projects in the past but now, when “the chips are down”, they sign for them.