Beware of the New Sign in Elda's Old Town

The Elda City Council takes another step forward in the progressive implementation of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) by installing eight informational signs at the main access roads to the city's Old Town. These signs warn drivers that to drive within the perimeter of this new traffic regulation area, vehicles must display the environmental badge of the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) on the windshield or have the necessary authorization.

Residents living within the designated area will still be able to access with their vehicles. The streets that peripherally delimit the LEZ are: Nueva Street, Ortega y Gasset Street, Luis Buñuel Street, Novo Hamburgo Avenue, and San José de Calasanz Street. It should be noted that the City Council approved the Low Emission Zone ordinance on November 22.

The aim of the LEZ is to reduce pollutant emissions in the urban center and promote more sustainable mobility. This measure is part of the legal obligation that all Spanish cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants must comply with, in accordance with European regulations on air quality and climate change mitigation.

The DGT environmental badges classify vehicles according to their environmental impact. Drivers who do not yet have theirs can obtain it at post offices, authorized workshops, management offices, tobacconists, or through the official DGT website (www.dgt.es), by providing the vehicle's registration number and paying a fee starting from 5 euros. To obtain the badge, one must present the vehicle's registration certificate and the ID of the vehicle's owner or the authorized person requesting the badge.

The implementation of the LEZ in Elda not only meets a legal requirement but also presents an opportunity to transform urban spaces with the support of the European Union's Next Generation funds, articulated through the Spanish Government's Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan. Through these aids, the City Council has been able to undertake significant remodeling works in various public areas, such as Plaza de Arriba, Plaza del Zapatero, Plaza Joan Miró, and Paseo de la Mora, contributing to creating a more accessible, friendly, and environmentally respectful city.

With these actions, Elda "reaffirms its commitment to sustainability and improving the quality of life for its citizens, moving towards a more modern, healthy city model prepared for future challenges," municipal sources indicate.