Bembrive nature reserve and cultural heritage threatened by motorway project

Residents demand alternatives and inclusion in decision-making process

by Lorraine Williamson
Vigo motorway project

Residents of Bembrive, a village in Vigo (Pontevedra), are raising concerns over a €390 million motorway project that they say will destroy their cultural and natural heritage.

The motorway project, spearheaded by the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility, aims to connect Vigo with O Porriño. However, locals warn it will threaten a protected nature reserve, a Romanesque church, several fortresses, and Neolithic sites.

Extension of the A-52

The project involves the expansion of the A-52 motorway, which links southern Galicia with Castilla y León and Madrid. The primary goal is to improve traffic flow and eliminate dangerous curves. However, the proposed changes have sparked significant opposition from the community.

Residents’ objections

Residents argue that the motorway expansion will severely impact their heritage and way of life. Bembrive is situated within a protected nature reserve and features a 12th-century Romanesque church. The area is also home to archaeological finds from the Neolithic and Iron Age, as well as protected granaries (hórreos) and mills, some over a century old. Locals are particularly concerned about the potential expropriation of houses and land.

Political reactions

Despite local opposition, Bembrive’s mayor, Patricia Otero, and Vigo’s mayor, Abel Caballero, have expressed support for the project. While Caballero has pledged to protect residents’ rights, he confirmed that the motorway will proceed as planned.

Alternatives and solutions

The Ministry of Transport has dismissed two proposed alternative routes, stating that the selected route is “the most recommended.” The ministry argues that the motorway expansion will enhance road safety.

In response, the Bloque Nacionalista Galego (BNG), a coalition of political parties in Galicia, has suggested reducing the toll on the AP-9 motorway as an alternative solution. This toll road is operated by Grupo Itínere. Moreover, it is seen as a potential substitute route that could alleviate traffic without disrupting Bembrive. The BNG argues that reducing the toll would lessen the financial burden on residents while preserving the area’s cultural and natural assets.

Residents continue to call for alternative solutions and demand a greater role in the decision-making process. They insist that their voices be heard to ensure that the project does not come at the expense of Bembrive’s heritage and environment.

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