Andorra Comú Waterproofs Leaky Planter in Plaça del Poble to Fix Vinyes Car Park
Andorra la Vella's Comú launched a month-long project to waterproof a planter in Plaça del Poble, resolving chronic leaks damaging the underlying Vinyes car park. Vinyes owners plan a lawsuit.
Key Points
- Project began Wednesday, expected to finish mid-June with minimal plaza disruptions.
- Leaks from untreated planter caused by soil shifts after Prat de la Creu works in November.
- Vinyes Patrimonial to sue Comú over damages, citing 1999 agreement on waterproofing duties.
- Enhanced cleaning protocols planned after recent drain blockage incident.
Andorra la Vella's Comú has begun work to fully waterproof an untreated planter in Plaça del Poble, aiming to end water leaks affecting the Vinyes car park below.
The project started on Wednesday and is expected to last about a month, finishing by mid-June. Disruptions will be limited, mainly impacting the children's play area temporarily, with minimal effects on plaza access and lifts.
Mayor Sergi González described the leaks as longstanding issues, first noted in November after improvement works in the Prat de la Creu area caused soil shifts and element movement. Technical studies pinpointed the source to the old planter adjacent to the plaza wall, which engineers had previously deemed unnecessary to treat. The newer planter beside the park had been waterproofed.
"We were assessing whether to pursue more targeted fixes or a comprehensive one," González said. Partial measures risked prolonging the problem without full resolution, so officials chose total impermeabilisation to address it completely.
The latest incident on Monday stemmed from a displaced piece blocking a drain grate near the casino end, trapping debris like cigarette butts and impeding drainage. Regular maintenance includes biweekly surface cleans and periodic deep checks, but this issue evaded detection. The Comú now plans enhanced cleaning protocols.
González clarified that recent entry closures at Vinyes via Prat de la Creu were for pre-scheduled pavement maintenance, unrelated to the leaks.
Vinyes Patrimonial, the car park's owner and operator, blames both waterproofing shortcomings and drain upkeep failures. The firm plans to file a Batllia lawsuit soon over material damage, following rejection of its December 2025 administrative claim. A 1999 agreement obliges the Comú to waterproof and maintain the plaza built over the car park.
Opposition councillor David Astrié criticised the handling, saying the plaza was rushed for inauguration last year despite known risks.
The Comú awaits court proceedings and stands ready to cooperate.
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