The Council of Tenerife calculates that delaying the start of classes in the University of La Laguna (ULL) would allow some 15,000 vehicles a day to be removed from the Autopista del Norte, the TF-5, out of the 110,000 that pass each day through the Padre Anchieta roundabout and cause the recurring collapse of traffic with the enormous queues at the height of Aguere. The Climate Change Law establishes a regulatory framework to be fulfilled in four years, as explained these days by the Ecological Transition counselor of the Government of the Canary Islands, Jose Antonio Valbuena. It is also ratified by the Insular Sustainable Mobility Plan, which is about to be delivered to the responsible area of the Corporation and defines the measures to be taken. Between them, that staggering at the beginning of the school day. Also encouraged by the proposal launched this week by the insular president, Pedro Martín, in the sense of contributing an extra twenty million in two years, ten per course, to the faculties that adopt the initiative.
Of the 25,414 people who make up the Laguna university community this year, including students, professors, and administration and service staff, some 15,000 regularly travel in their private vehicle. Another 8,000 already move regularly by bus with a slight increase after the free service was established on January 1 of this year. Reducing one figure and increasing the other is a strategic objective for the Cabildo.
Aarón Afonso holds the position of insular director of Coordination and Support for the President. He assures from the outset that “the ULL is a fundamental institution for the economic and social development of Tenerife”. He adds that «Its educational community has always had the support of the Cabildo, especially in the fields of innovation and development. Now we propose your collaboration to alleviate the problem of queues on the TF-5 ».
He insists on the idea of ”alleviating” because this measure “is not going to solve anything if it is considered in isolation.” But he understands that it would be effective if combined with the increase in the use of public transport, the burying of the TF-24 (La Esperanza highway), the great work of the Circunvalación de La Laguna (Guamasa-Lora Tamayo) or complete the large infrastructures of the Insular Ring such as the Erjos tunnel or the Icod de los Vinos-San Juan de la Rambla section”.
Obey the law
Afonso recalls: «The Climate Change Law of Canary Islands It already proposes this staggering in the time of entry and exit of classes ». Therefore, he criticizes the fact that “the same parties that unanimously supported the legislation in the Parliament of the Canary Islands and now they reject it when the Cabildo proposes it».
Afonso acknowledges that “It is not an easy decision but steps must be taken in this direction and the president’s proposal is in that line. Complying with the law is in no way electoralist as the opposition accuses the president.
The socialist politician argues that “there is a time frame to comply with what is not an option but something mandatory and the idea is to take steps towards it.”
Afonso insists that “this proposal includes additional funding. It has nothing to do with the contribution that the Cabildo de Tenerife makes every year to the University of La Laguna. The figure ranges between four and six million euros per year because “it depends on the projects we support, which basically follow the scientific path of innovation and development.”
Aarón Afonso links two driving ideas: “On the one hand, the urgent need to improve mobility on the Island and on the other, the improvement in the financing of Canarian universities, a recurring complaint from their leaders.”
Mobility Plan
Afonso points out that “the Insular Mobility Plan has not yet been delivered to the Cabildo but it will be a reality shortly after completing its drafting.” He makes clear the need to stagger the entrance hours of the universities but also of the large private companies. “The Law is for everyone and everyone has to comply with it,” he says.
The Cabildo forecast is that some 15,000 vehicles will not travel every day on the TF-5 if the measure is taken to delay the start of classes at ten in the morning. There has been rejection but also arguments to carry it out.
Currently there are more than 800,000 registered cars in Tenerife, which is almost one vehicle per inhabitant. On the TF-5, the Autopista del Norte, and in the direction of Santa Cruz, more than 110,000 vehicles circulate during the early morning hours of each day. The queues are the origin of the recurring social demand of the people of Tenerife: to find a solution to this collapse.
environmental awareness
The detailed diagnostic survey on mobility carried out at the University of La Laguna reflects great concern for the future of the environment. Among the students, 69% consider that climate change “is already a tangible reality” and 56% believe that if society continues to maintain a consumerist lifestyle “we are approaching a natural catastrophe”. 32% consider that “measures must be applied to protect the environment”. Among administration and service personnel, the percentages are similar, although those who think that measures must be taken “even though they could have a restrictive effect on the economy in the short term” rise to 41%. 57% of those surveyed state that the environmental impact of the mode of transport is “quite or very important”. A piece of information: 96% practice recycling. On the other hand, the vast majority are unaware of possible sustainable transport measures. 35% agree to promote actions in favor of this type of means of mobility. 95% travel by car, but 50% would be willing to share it. | JDM
