Traffic in Licola and Varcaturo, new rules for beach resorts on weekends
The record influx of visitors during the spring long weekends has put traffic along the northwest coast of Naples in crisis. The seaside resorts of Licola e Varcaturo, between the municipalities of Giugliano in Campania, Pozzuoli and the neighbor Castel Volturno, have recorded traffic jams that have blocked thousands of cars for hours. The cause is to be found in the heat wave, the desire for the sea and the lack of valid alternatives to private vehicles. The viral images on social media have pushed the authorities to an urgent meeting to change the rules.
What caused the chaos on holidays
Between Easter Monday, April 25th and May Day, the beaches of Licola and Varcaturo were stormed. The problem is not only incoming traffic, but especially outgoing traffic: many were stuck for hours trying to get back to Naples. The insufficient number of public transport worsened the situation, pushing the institutions to take corrective action. The prefect of Naples called a Road Operations Committee (COV) to coordinate interventions.
COV decisions and new rules
During the meeting with the police, the municipalities involved and the beach managers, the urgency of reducing traffic during rush hour emerged. A Pozzuoli, an order was immediately signed for limit bathing activities in Licola Mare. Until June 3, 2025, each Saturday, Sunday and public holiday, the establishments along Sibilla Avenue they will have to close at 19:00, with a ban on continuing any activity beyond that time.
Furthermore, always on the days indicated, it will be Traffic prohibited on Viale Sibilla from 17: 00 to 20: 00, except for residents. Objective: to free the main road from illegal parking and facilitate vehicle flow.
Statements from the Mayor of Pozzuoli
The Mayor Louis Manzoni stated that “respect for residents comes first”. The administration's intention is to start a structural plan to improve mobility in the seaside area, introducing shuttle, limited traffic areas and new parking areas. Work is also underway to strengthen controls and coordinate with plant managers.
The Castel Volturno knot
The Castel Volturno, despite being in the province of Caserta, has a central role. The beaches of Green Bay, Pinetamare e ischitella attract thousands of people every weekend. Here the situation is similar, but with the complication of different administrative jurisdiction. The municipality of Giugliano will have to coordinate with that of Castel Volturno to standardize traffic containment measures.
What to expect in the coming weeks
The trial period will end on 3nd June, but it is not excluded that the restrictions will be extended or extended. The goal is to avoid a repetition of the scenes seen in May and to restore liveability to a much-loved but urbanistically fragile stretch of coast.
Authorities urge citizens to evaluate the use of public transport e to get informed before setting off on a journey towards the beaches of Licola and Varcaturo during the weekends.