Cars return to pass by the City Hall of Seville 20 years later due to works on Calle Alemanes

Avenida de la Constitución was pedestrianised in 2006 and since then no vehicles had circulated next to the Town Hall. Now, a section of Plaza de San Francisco has been reopened to traffic temporarily until July 19 due to Endesa's works on Calle Alemanes.

Last Monday, residents and drivers in Seville were in for a major surprise: cars were back on the road next to the façade of the Town Hall, in Plaza de San Francisco. Twenty years after Avenida de la Constitución was fully pedestrianised, a section of this iconic location has reopened to traffic temporarily.

The measure responds to the improvement works on the electricity supply that Endesa is carrying out on Calle Alemanes, which have forced the closure of this road in the section between Hernando Colón and Avenida de la Constitución. According to municipal sources, the closure will last at least until July 19.

A monitored route with New Jersey barriers

The new route, marked with New Jersey-type barriers, allows cars to cross Plaza de San Francisco, pass in front of the former headquarters of the Bank of Spain and continue along Calle Fernández y González. The City Council has also set up two newly painted pedestrian crossings to ensure the safety of pedestrians in this area of the historic centre.

For residents in the area, the City Council has designed a specific exit route: Argote de Molina, Álvarez Quintero, Alemanes, Cardenal Carlos Amigo Vallejo, Plaza Virgen de los Reyes, Mateos Gago, Fabiola, Ximénez de Enciso and Santa María la Blanca. A detour that, according to municipal sources, aims to minimise the inconvenience to residents.

More closures and diversions in the centre of Seville

In addition to the closure on Calle Alemanes, the local government has closed Calle Hernando Colón to traffic, allowing access only for residents. Calle Ángel María Camacho is also closed from Boteros, permitting only passage for residents, private parking and loading and unloading, with exit through Plaza de San Francisco and Fernández y González.

Similarly, Calle Alfalfa has been temporarily blocked from Candilejo, with the same restrictions. For general traffic, alternative routes run through Águilas, Alfalfa, Candilejo, Muñoz and Pabón, San José and Santa María la Blanca.

Drivers passing through the centre these days will need to be patient. At least they can boast of having seen something that hasn't happened since 2006: cars parked in front of the Town Hall, even if just for a few weeks.