Santa Cruz Imposes Traffic Restrictions in El Tablero to Curb Heavy Freight Vehicles

The Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Council has introduced new traffic restrictions in the El Tablero neighborhood to improve road safety and protect the quality of life for local residents. The Department of Mobility and Universal Accessibility acted after finding that Calle Centenillo’s layout was unsuitable for the heavy traffic it had been receiving.

This decision follows direct feedback from the local Neighborhood Association to district councilor Javier Rivero. Residents raised concerns that the street was being used as a shortcut for heavy freight vehicles, creating a significant safety risk for pedestrians. Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez stated that the move is intended to preserve the residential nature of the area and prevent heavy-duty trucks from using local streets as transit routes.

Technically, the new rules lower the weight limit for vehicles from 7 tons to 3.5 tons and introduce width restrictions. These measures are designed to discourage drivers from using this local road as an alternative to major highways like the TF-2, which are better equipped to handle freight traffic.

To ensure the new rules are followed, the Department of Citizen Security has launched a police surveillance operation. Officers are monitoring key access points at the intersections of Calle Toledo and Calle Talavera to enforce the new signage and penalize non-compliance.

This initiative reflects a broader trend in urban management, where cities are prioritizing main roads for through-traffic while protecting secondary streets for residents. By reducing heavy traffic, the city aims to lower accident rates, decrease environmental impact, and return public space to the community.