A scandal is brewing in Asturias over the AP-66 toll road connecting the region with Castilla y León. Thousands of drivers are outraged: despite large-scale roadworks and traffic restrictions, the operator Aucalsa continues to charge the full toll. Tensions are rising—consumers are demanding fairness, while authorities promise to intervene.
Toll rates on the road have increased again since the start of the year. For passenger cars, a full trip now costs €16.20—60 cents more than before. Bus drivers and certain trucks pay €11.70, while heavy goods vehicles are charged up to €15.05. Meanwhile, the roadworks, launched after a slope collapse in November 2024, have made travel difficult with traffic jams, lane reductions and temporary detours. Yet, no one has seen any discounts or compensation.
Widespread Discontent
The situation has triggered a flood of complaints. The Asturias Consumer Union (UCE-Asturias) has set up a special registry to collect grievances—and in a short time, more than 3,000 people have submitted statements. People are angry: paying full price for a service that is not being fully provided is, in their opinion, sheer injustice. Many believe the operator is simply profiting from the road’s problems.
The head of the union, Dacio Alonso, insists that Aucalsa is violating consumer rights by charging the full toll on a highway with restricted traffic and substandard service. He is demanding that regional authorities launch an investigation and impose the maximum fine of €100,000 on the company, and, if illegal profits are proven, increase the penalty several times over.
Legal battles
Authorities in Asturias have already stated they are closely monitoring the situation. The region’s Consumer Affairs Department intends to cooperate with colleagues in Castilla y León, since the toll points are located there and many believe that is where the violations occur. The issue of possible abuse by the toll road operator is also being discussed at the ministerial level.
Consumers are demanding not only fines, but also the establishment of a dedicated consumer protection prosecutor’s office in the region. Asturias currently has no such institution, and many believe that is why citizens’ interests often remain poorly protected. The consumer union insists there should be a prosecutor to defend residents’ rights in court and enforce compliance with the law.
European aspect
The controversy over the toll road AP-66 has reached beyond Spain’s borders. Last year, the European Commission ruled that extending Aucalsa’s concession until 2050 was illegal. That decision, originally made in 2000, is widely viewed as having allowed the company to reap excessive profits at users’ expense. The debate over the legitimacy of the concession extension is also unfolding in other regions—for example, in Galicia, where local authorities are demanding the removal of tolls on a similar road.
In Asturias, the regional government is determined to see the issue through. Transport Councillor Alejandro Calvo has already sent official requests to the ministry and the European Commission to take part in the proceedings and submit all necessary documents. Authorities maintain that the concession extension was unlawful and must be revoked.
Rising pressure on operators
While the ministry has yet to clarify its stance on tolls during ongoing roadworks, civic groups and political parties are ramping up pressure on the operator. The region has launched a dedicated ‘Infrastructure Alliance,’ a platform where business, political, and community leaders discuss how to protect residents’ interests and secure fair conditions for using the highway.
Consumers are not backing down. They are demanding not only lower tolls during repairs but also a review of the entire concession system. Many believe that if they don’t fight now, the same situation will repeat itself on other toll roads across the country. The issue has gone beyond one region—it has become a symbol of the fight for ordinary citizens’ rights against major corporations.
What’s next?
It’s still unclear how this story will end. But one thing is certain: residents of Asturias are not willing to tolerate injustice. They are supported by local authorities, lawyers, and civil society groups. Ahead lie legal battles, possible fines, and potentially a complete overhaul of Spain’s toll road system. The only question is whether officials will have the resolve to see it through.
