RGP trials new scheme for bikes crossing frontier

(Photo: GBC)

GIBRALTAR (GBC) The Royal Gibraltar Police is piloting a new scheme at the frontier with separate lanes for bicycles and motorbikes. This is in response to problems caused by the large volume of cyclists and motorcyclists trying to squeeze through the border at the same time as larger vehicles. The problem has been worse in recent months as border queues have increased, with Guardia Civil officers checking bikes more frequently due to the large amount of tobacco detected among them. "Time will tell how successful the new system is. We'll monitor the new setup and fine tune it if necessary," said Chief Inspector Michael Lynch.

'Please let us smuggle more cigarrettes'

LA LÍNEA

The Asociación Sociocultural de Trabajadores Españoles en Gibraltar has complained that the Guardia Civil is being 'excessive' in their operations at the border with Gibraltar. "Thousands of out of work people in La Línea, who get no, or very few, benefits, should be treated the same as those in Irún and Andorra, where they are more permissive with tobacco," says the organization. They complain that PSOE Deputy Salvador de la Encina "is no longer interested in the subject" and nor is La Línea Mayor Alejandro Sánchez, "to whom the plight of workers in Gibraltar was almost his only subject before he became Mayor."

Border boil-over

(Gibraltar Chronicle/Photo JP file) An altercation between two drivers at the border yesterday added to the woes of dozens of people heading north into Spain in heavy rain at rush hour. One man was arrested and another was treated in hospital. The tailback of cars was so long that authorities had to open the south dispersal area of the runway to ease congestion. There were also queues of pedestrians as Guardia Civil carried out checks on anyone carrying tobacco products. (JP note: Nice bit of headlining, Chronicle!)