The worst predictions have come true: the “chaos” in Seville’s mobility, warned about days ago by Mayor José Luis Sanz due to the UN Summit, has dramatically materialized this morning. Many citizens had no choice but to resort to the traditional “San Fernando car” – walking to work. A scene that speaks volumes and highlights the drastic impact on daily life in the Andalusian capital.
Massive Traffic Restrictions: Kansas City Avenue Affected
Even before the summit, extensive traffic cuts were announced. However, on Sunday evening, a new restriction imposed by the Ministry of Interior was added, which the city council communicated via social media: Kansas City Avenue and its intersections are now closed daily from 7:00 AM to 9:30 AM and from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. This measure also affects important Tussam bus lines (2, 20, 28, LN) and the airport bus, all experiencing changes and delays.
The consequences were foreseeable and swift: monumental traffic jams blocked central arteries like Avenida de la Palmera and Paseo de Colón early in the morning. The Sevilla Este district and its access roads were particularly affected, as access points at Gota de Leche and Ronda Súper Norte were already cut off.
Public Transport and Pedestrian Traffic: An Ordeal in Record Heat
Bus access to the Los Arcos shopping center was also restricted without prior notice. From there, further travel was only possible by car or taxi up to the beginning of Alcalde Luis de Uruñuela, where the restriction is complete. For many, walking was the only option. A resident described the bike path in Sevilla Este as “a flood of people” on Monday morning: “It was impressive to see so many people walking from the Polygon [Yellow Street]… Many guys in suits with their suitcases walking.”
The walk from the last bus stop before the shopping center to Fibes takes about 40 minutes. An additional burden is the current heatwave: since early morning, temperatures have been close to 30 degrees Celsius, and the State Meteorological Agency (Aemet) predicts 42 degrees today, and even 43 degrees tomorrow – both under an orange alert.
Collateral Damage: Health Appointments Postponed, Cameras Delayed
The massive mobility problems have caused far-reaching “collateral damage.” A resident told 20minutos that her appointment scheduled for Tuesday at the health center near the Palacio de Congresos had to be postponed. The reason: doctors, nurses, and patients might be delayed or unable to arrive due to the traffic chaos.
As a direct consequence of the summit and the resulting mobility restrictions, the Seville City Council has also postponed the planned installation of new surveillance cameras on the city’s bus lanes, intended to facilitate traffic flow, from this Tuesday to Friday.
