The Banyalbufar Town Council has drafted a model for a municipal authorisation to manage access during the eclipse on 12 August, due to the Government's delay in defining the final arrangements. The only local police officer has been responsible for preparing the document.
The Banyalbufar Town Council has decided to take action in light of the uncertainty caused by the lack of a definitive plan from the Government for the solar eclipse on 12 August. The council, which has only one local police officer, has created its own authorisation document to control access that falls under its jurisdiction while awaiting directives from the Balearic Executive.
“The measures are coming too late and now everything is rushed,” laments Joan Vives, acting mayor, who is substituting for Leonor Bosch, who is on maternity leave. Vives explains that the municipality has been preparing for months, but always conditioned by the decisions of other administrations. “Since March or April we have been talking about the eclipse, but we have been a bit on hold because we depend on them and our resources are very limited,” he points out.
With 20 days to go until the astronomical phenomenon, the council admits that it faces the day with many uncertainties. “We are worried because we do not know exactly what we are up against. There has never been a situation like this and we do not know what could happen if an immense number of people end up coming,” Vives acknowledges.
The only local police officer in Banyalbufar has taken the initiative and drafted a model authorisation that the town council plans to use to manage access under its jurisdiction. “He has anticipated things. He has prepared an authorisation document that we will use for our access control,” details the acting mayor. However, the model is not yet final: the officer is awaiting instructions from the sergeant to check whether the document remains as is or needs to be modified to fit the Government's arrangements.
The Town Council is also working to reinforce its staff in preparation for 12 August. Typically, there is only one local police officer, but they hope to have three officers available through agreements with other municipalities. “We want to have a minimum of three police officers that day. We are coordinating with other towns to bring in officers, although we know it will be complicated because everyone will have their own needs,” Vives explains.
The aim is to control access to Port des Canonge and several junctions that allow cars to reach the sea. With three police officers, the council hopes to manage the critical points within the municipality, although the overall plan is still not finalised. This situation is causing discomfort among residents and local businesses, who see how the lack of administrative clarity complicates the planning of a day that is expected to be crowded.
The Balearic Government announced weeks ago that it would close the road through the Serra de Tramuntana to traffic during the eclipse, but the details of the operation – such as control points, timings, and exceptions – have not yet been communicated to the town councils. Banyalbufar, like other municipalities in the Serra, is calling for clear and timely information to coordinate its own resources.
For residents, the uncertainty translates into concern over possible crowding and mobility issues. Local restaurants have already begun to cancel reservations due to the lack of guarantees regarding access. The acting mayor insists that the council will do everything possible to ensure safety and smooth traffic, but warns that without the Government's support, the task is nearly impossible.
The eclipse on 12 August will be total in much of the Serra de Tramuntana, which has sparked interest from tourists and astronomy enthusiasts. Predictions point to a massive influx, and local councils are worried about potential congestion if a coordinated plan is not established in good time. Banyalbufar, with its authorisation document, is at least trying to have a Plan B for what falls under its jurisdiction.
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