Encamp residents protest Saturday closure for crane dismantling

The planned closure of Pedral and de les Arribés streets in Encamp on Saturday the 13th, for the dismantling of a crane, has provoked significant discontent among local residents. Neighbours say they received little advance notice and that the extended restriction period will complicate access to homes and weekend plans, particularly on a street with many residences and an aparthotel.

Residents accept that occasional public‑space interventions are necessary but argue that the prolonged closure and lack of alternatives are avoidable. They have asked the Comú to reconsider the timing or introduce measures to reduce the impact on daily life. Several people complained that they were told the work was scheduled for Saturday because there are no schools then, calling this inconsistent with daily school‑related closures elsewhere — for example, Solà street is closed every morning to help children reach the primary school — and suggesting the work could have been done on a weekday.

Complaints also include poor street cleaning, with residents saying the area was already littered on the Friday before the planned closure despite repeated requests for better maintenance. They report ongoing disturbances from prior works, including short closures at peak times to unload materials. Some residents additionally criticised the architectural style of a new building under construction, saying its smooth plasterboard façade clashes with the stone finishes of neighbouring buildings and breaks the street’s visual harmony.

The Comú of Encamp says the closure was communicated “many days ago” and that all residents received a letter detailing the operation, the emergency plan and a contact phone number for incidents. Municipal sources say emergency services have been notified, though they did not specify which units will be deployed. A traffic officer confirmed firefighters will be present on Saturday, and an ambulance was already seen in the area.

The council defends holding the work on Saturday to minimise impact compared with a weekday and says there were no viable logistical alternatives. Officials add the work could not be carried out at night due to excessive noise and safety concerns. Traffic officers will be on duty during the operation to manage the logistics.

The contrast between the Comú’s explanations and residents’ perceptions highlights a tense atmosphere, fuelled by the disruptions caused by construction and a feeling among neighbours that their concerns have not been sufficiently heard or taken into account.