Last week the controversial slab that had remained on the ring road for four years was finally released from the Sant Antoni neighborhood, when the provisional market tents for which this concrete base was built were removed. Since then, it has become a pacified ‘civic’ space that has been the main many discussions about his final destination. The last tension has been experienced during the past weekend, because with the disappearance of the machines and the operators human hyperactivity returned to this section without cars between Urgell and Floridablanca. A popular use of public space that at night becomes a reason for complaint to the nearest residents. Since Friday they have denounced the presence of bottles with musicnoises from football matches in full round that end at so many, prostitution and a morning memory in the form of cans and dirt good morning
The neighborhood applauds the removal of the slab after years of claiming it, but warns that as long as the final redevelopment (which maintains two fronts of opinion open, for or against the total pacification pursued by the Comuns) it is necessary to guarantee night control of the conflicts. “During the day there is no problem with having leisure and civic uses, but at night we have already seen how we are returning to the situation that was already experienced with the slab”, points out a member of the Plataforma d’Afectats per la Llosa de Sant Antoni.
They assure that they had the municipal commitment of a new Urban Guard operation, but that this weekend no agent has been seen in the area. As proof, the spectacular robbery suffered by the Mediamarkt on the corner of Casanova in the area on Saturday night. Both Friday and Saturday, the neighbors have complained of different inconveniences that affect their rest. From those caused by those who play soccer after 10:00 p.m., until almost midnight, as a lesser evil; to the neighborhood tension generated by the presence of young people drinking alcohol and listening to loud music at dawn. The screams have once again kept the residents awake, who complain about having to house the leisure space for people who later sleep in other neighborhoods.
weathered look
In addition to the pending adjustments (these days there were no bins, they criticize), the sad aspect that the street offers when tearing off the slab. Benches have now been installed on the blue-painted road that used to be a parking area. The neighbors ask that they have handles in the middle to help the older ones get up. This format obviously prevents them from becoming improvised bars or where to lie down for the night.
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But those affected by the axis itself, who are considering mobilizing if measures are not taken to prevent coexistence in the area between residents and users from becoming more complicated, wonder if the proposal presented as final by the Urban Planning area last February will end in a drawer depending on the result of the May elections. They think the calendar is too fair for their tender before the elections. The municipal plans were to have the executive project ready this March, for its approval in the government commission, subsequent bidding and awarding of works in order to start them before the summer. They are still standing, according to municipal sources. But it is a time trial that has the added problem of lack of agreement with the rest of political formations.
The Socialists have repeatedly positioned themselves in favor of a previous, less radical 2018 project. And the pacification foreseen by the Comuns does not convince the defenders of an even more radical action either, the Platform for the pacification of the Ronda de Sant Antoni, made up of different entities, but whose demands are more reflected in the document defended by the deputy mayor Janet Sanz. The opposing platform, which includes neighbors at the foot of the round and commercial entities, trusts that the last word has not yet been written and, depending on who wins the elections, another future for the round is negotiated. They insist that block the access by car of the older neighbors or with disabilities (since there is no service lane) will isolate its residents.