In addition to the implementation of the environmental zone in the city of Málaga this autumn, the newspaper DiarioSUR has given an update on measures in the municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants within the province. An environmental zone, also known as a Low Emission Zone (LEZ, or ZBE in Spanish), prohibits certain diesel vehicles from entering the area. Read more about the state of affairs in the larger municipalities in the province of Málaga.
The vast majority of municipalities are late and the measures generally seem to be the same. They favour local residents over foreigners when it comes to access to the zone and enforcement during the transition phase.
Pioneer Estepona and Marbella
Estepona was the first municipality to get the ball rolling. This already happened in the last quarter of 2023. Estepona took advantage of the transformation of the city centre for this. The measure will be implemented in three phases. The LEZ in Estepona covers 60 hectares and from next year it is planned to increase access for vehicles without a label or with a B label (yellow). Its boundaries are Avenida de Andalucía, Tajo and Pilar de Farinós streets, San Lorenzo Avenue and the waterfront.
In Marbella, the measure was approved a few weeks later. During this first year, there will be no fines. The municipality is awaiting investigations into air quality and the drafting of an ordinance. The restrictions will apply in the Old Town of Marbella and in the centre of San Pedro Alcántara. The idea is that up to label B there will be no problem. However, these vehicles will eventually lose their privileges.
Fuengirola and Mijas
Fuengirola has already approved an LEZ. For the time being, this does not mean any change. The municipality has previously declared areas to be semi-pedestrian areas. These are already limited in vehicle access. It involves 100,000 square metres spread over 18 areas, all in the city centre.
Mijas, following the Ombudsman’s warning and the change of municipal administration, has started to activate the procedures for the implementation of the LEZ. The research to determine the implementation area and the measures has been completed and the specifications for the necessary work and actions are also being prepared. It may take another year for restrictive applications instead.
Delay in Benalmádena?
Benalmádena is known to have the municipality begin the process of measurements and surveys to determine the area of traffic restrictions, either with its own resources or with an external company. So far, none of these conclusions have been made public, so it seems that there will be a delay.
LEZ in Torremolinos
In Torremolinos, the implementation is expected early next year. According to municipal sources, the ordinance will be definitively approved in October and there will be a period without sanctions as usual. The municipality admits that there are delays due to technological and IT problems. This was also the bottleneck in the city of Málaga, due to the high demand for contracts at the national level.
The LEZ includes Avenida de los Manantiales, in the section between Plaza Costa del Sol and Isabel Manoja; María Barrabino; Eduardo Aguilera Romero; Maestra Miret; Río Aranda; Río Arba; Madre del Buen Consejo; Río Salazar; Río Mesa; Río Subordán; Ramal de los Manantiales and the last part of Calle Hoyo. The application will be gradually tightened until 2029. Restrictions will apply from label B in the first few years, but here too residents have much more room to adapt to the situation. An overview of the labels can be found here.
Rincón en Vélez Málaga
In Rincón de la Victoria there is a map for inspection. It will be an area of 9 hectares. The nucleus in which it will begin is the main one, Rincón, with references in the Plaza de la Constitución, between La Corta, Virgen de la Candelaria and Avenida del Mediterráneo.
In Vélez Málaga, implementation of the zone still seems a long way off. The study carried out by the previous City Council is under review.
Also read: Beware if you enter Madrid without an emissions sticker