Noise, dirty streets and lack of green zones are chief complaints

Staff Reporter THE lack of green zones, dirty streets and noise are the chief problems in the Balearics, according to the Census of 2001, which has just been published by the National Institute of Statistics. The problems in the Balearic Islands are similar to those of the rest of the country, although the demand for more green zones and cleaner streets is higher here than elsewhere on the Peninsula. The report says that 42.3 percent of Balearic households complain about the lack of green zones, a figure which is beaten only by Andalucia (47.4 percent); Murcia (45 percent) and Ceuta and Melilla (71 percent) and reflects a growing concern with the environment. As to dirty streets, this complaint was made by 37.1 percent of local households, compared to a national average of 31.8 percent. The Balearic figure was beaten only by Madrid (39.2 percent), Murcia (40 percent) and Ceuta and Melilla (49.8 percent). When it comes to noise, once again, the number of complaints in the Balearics is higher than the national average, but after Catalonia, Valencia, Madrid, Murcia and Ceuta and Melilla. Regarding municipalities in the Balearics, complaints about noise, dirty streets and lack of green zones were higher than the average in three areas: Palma, Pollensa and Son Servera. Two of these problems were featured strongly in the following municipalities: Binissalem, Bunyola, Capdepera, Ibiza town, Felanitx, Mahon (Minorca), Manacor, Sant Antoni de Portmany (Ibiza) and Soller. Concerns about delinquency and vandalism near the home were only reflected in a particularly prominent way in Palma, Ibiza and Son Servera. Although the replies given in the census were subjective, the report reveals that the main problems facing householders are concentrated in the most densely populated areas of the islands, mainly Palma and tourist resorts. The results of the survey would seem to indicate that the tranquility for which Majorca was once famed is now the heritage of the small inland towns and villages. Less than 16 percent of residents complained about poor communications and public transport, compared to noise (32.4 percent), dirty streets (37.1 percent) and lack of green zones (42.3 percent).