Today in Spain: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesday

Catalonia mulls imposing time restrictions on cyclists

Catalan traffic authority SCT is considering establishing time zones in which cyclists are not allowed to ride on the region’s busiest roads.

The proposal comes at a time when the number of cyclists on Catalan roads has increased significantly, especially since the pandemic, leading to an increase in circulation problems involving motor vehicles and bicycles.

Òscar Llatge, SCT's Road Safety and Mobility Coordinator, is also considering regulating large groups of cyclists, saying: "Groups are more visible, and that increases their safety, but it also makes it more difficult for drivers to overtake".

EU freezes €1 billion of Spain’s recovery funds

The European Commission is freezing EU recovery payments of approximately €1.1 billion which were due to be made to Spain because Sánchez’s government has not raised diesel taxes.

The country’s Socialist government has tried twice to pass these changes in Congress, unsuccessfully, due to a lack of support from its partners.

Other stumbling blocks include the delay in introducing the green tax reform, not introducing digitisation changes in some Spanish regions and the failure to reduce the number of temporary public job positions.

In order to receive billions in EU funding meant to help European economies bounce back after the Covid-19 pandemic, Madrid must meet certain demands made by Brussels.

Wildfire in Catalonia destroys 1,500 hectares

A wildfire in Paüls in Tarragona province (Catalonia) which broke out on Monday has so far destroyed 1,500 hectares of forest, much of it in the ELs Ports Natural Park, according to local firefighters.

On Tuesday morning, the blaze continued raging due in part to 90km/h winds.

Nobody has been injured but 50 people have so far been evacuated and the inhabitants of several nearby municipalities have been asked to stay at home.

Relentless Spain reach Euro 2025 quarters after thumping Belgium

Spain reached the quarter-finals of Women's Euro 2025 on Monday after the world champions hammered Belgium 6-2 while Italy were held to a 1-1 draw with Portugal at the death.

A brace from the magnificent Alexia Putellas and further goals from Irene Paredes, Esther González, Mariona Caldentey and Claudia Pina gave Group B leaders Spain a second thumping win.

Montse Tome's team will win the group if they avoid defeat to Italy, who are two points behind La Roja in second after being denied qualification late on by third-placed Portugal, on Friday.

With additional reporting by AFP.