Spain: temporary truck ban on routes from the Basque Country to France

From Wednesday, 13 May, at 22:00 until Thursday, 14 May, at 22:00, additional traffic restrictions will apply in the Spanish Basque Country for heavy goods vehicles with a permissible gross weight of over 7.5 tonnes. The ban applies to international transport heading towards France and covers the main corridors leading to the border crossings in the Irun and Behobia area.

The restrictions have been introduced by the authorities of the Autonomous Community of the Basque Country. They cover both motorways and national roads used by cross-border transport between Spain and France. For carriers, this means the need to plan journeys in advance, especially as the ban may affect drivers’ working time schedules and cause congestion near the affected sections.

The ban applies to the following routes:
• AP-8 from km 100 near Amorebieta to km 0 at the French border in Behobia, towards France,
• GI-20 Donostia/San Sebastián bypass from the Aritzeta junction to the Errenteria junction,
• A-15 from the border with Navarre to the N-I Andoain junction,
• AP-1 from the Etxabarri-Ibiña toll gate to the Maltzaga junction with the AP-8, towards Irun,
• A-1 from Burgos to Treviño and from Treviño to the N-622 junction towards Vitoria-Gasteiz,
• N-I from the border with Navarre, Etzegarate, to Lasarte-Oria, towards France,
• GI-636 from Pasaia to Behobia, towards France,
• GI-11 from Lasarte to San Sebastián,
• N-121A from the border with Navarre to Behobia, towards France.

The Basque authorities emphasise that the ban does not apply to all truck traffic. It applies only to cross-border transport heading through the French-Spanish border. Domestic transport carried out within Spain is not covered by this restriction.

There are also exemptions. The ban does not apply, among others, to the transport of live animals, mail and newspapers, transport related to fairs and sporting, cultural or political events, emergency service vehicles, roadside assistance vehicles and cranes, as well as transport of materials necessary for repairs to critical infrastructure and winter road maintenance supplies.

The restriction also does not apply to the transport of perishable goods under controlled temperature in accordance with the ATP agreement, or to the transport of fresh fruit and vegetables. In the case of perishable goods, however, the load must occupy at least half of the vehicle’s capacity or payload.