Málaga has no protocol for removing stranded lorries. Delays follow

A broken-down or crashed lorry can bring parts of Málaga to a standstill, and there is no dedicated public service ready to remove it. Euro Weekly News reports that the Government has acknowledged there is no specific protocol for clearing heavy goods vehicles from roads such as the A-7, which matters to commuters, delivery firms and anyone on the province's main routes.

Key facts

• No protocol: the Government has said there has never been a specific protocol for removing heavy goods vehicles, according to Euro Weekly News.
• No public fleet: the Guardia Civil can secure a scene and manage traffic but has no heavy recovery vehicles, and the DGT (national traffic authority) has no public roadside service for lorries.
• Cost: recovery can run to thousands of euros and, in complicated cases, up to €20,000, according to industry sources cited in reporting on Málaga's roads.
• Possible fix: the DGT has said it was studying alternatives, including agreements with private recovery firms.

Why lorries are hard to move

A loaded lorry cannot necessarily be shifted with a standard breakdown truck. Depending on weight, position, cargo and damage, crews may need heavy-duty vehicles, cranes or machinery and a specialist team.

The operation therefore depends on insurance cover, private companies and the availability of specialist equipment, Euro Weekly News reports.

Where the process stalls

The Guardia Civil can contact recovery companies, but the process can slow down when the haulage company has no recovery cover. The insurer may need to authorise the work, a company has to be found and a price agreed.

Some operators are reluctant to take on foreign-registered lorries if payment is uncertain, the outlet reports. The Government says removal is arranged through compulsory insurance, with response times depending on availability, vehicle type and condition.

Knock-on effects

A lorry blocking a motorway can close lanes or force a diversion, pushing traffic onto surrounding roads. Euro Weekly News says this costs commuters hours and delays deliveries and staff.

It points to a recent incident in the Carlos Haya tunnel, where an overturned lorry landed on a taxi. Two specialist companies were needed, and the cargo had to be removed before the vehicles could be cleared.

How the issue reached the Government

The question was raised after lorry breakdowns caused long queues on Málaga's roads in 2025. The PP asked the Government why there was no dedicated service for removing heavy vehicles, and the Executive replied that there had never been a specific protocol.

The DGT has said it was studying alternatives, but Euro Weekly News says motorists have no clear timetable for any new arrangement.

What it means for drivers

Until a system is in place, drivers may continue to face lengthy delays when a lorry is stranded on a key route, particularly in the morning rush hour, the outlet says.