The Spanish Congress has called for the immediate replacement of road signs using 'Lérida' with the official name 'Lleida.' This decision aims to uphold legal standards and cultural identity.
The Spanish Congress has taken a significant step towards preserving cultural identity by urging the Ministry of Transport to eliminate the outdated term «Lérida» from all road signage, replacing it with the officially recognized name «Lleida.» This resolution, passed on September 24, 2026, was initiated by ERC and supported by several political parties including Junts, PSOE, and Sumar.
Inés Granollers, a representative from ERC, emphasized that this initiative is not merely a matter of preference but rather a necessity for public institutions to adhere to established legal nomenclature. She stated,
“No se trata de una cuestión de gustos ni de interpretaciones políticas, sino de garantizar que las administraciones públicas utilicen la denominación oficial establecida por la legislación.”
The proposal mandates an immediate review of all traffic signs managed by the Ministry that still reference «Lérida,» along with creating a comprehensive inventory of these signs. Furthermore, it requires the establishment of a public timeline for their replacement to ensure compliance with the official designation.
This legislative move comes after decades since Spain’s Law 2/1992 officially changed the names of provinces like Lérida to Lleida. The law was enacted following requests from local authorities and aimed at aligning provincial names with historical and cultural traditions. Despite this change being implemented over thirty years ago, remnants of the old nomenclature persist in various public signage.
ERC argues that continuing to use «Lérida» on road signs represents an anomaly that must be rectified. The party’s push reflects broader efforts across Spain to reinforce regional identities through language and nomenclature.
The decision has sparked mixed reactions among political factions. While ERC and its allies support this move as a necessary correction, parties like Vox have opposed it vehemently. The abstention from PP indicates a more cautious approach towards such linguistic changes.
As part of this initiative, local residents are encouraged to report any remaining instances of «Lérida» signage they encounter. This grassroots involvement could aid in expediting the transition process as authorities work towards ensuring all public-facing materials reflect Lleida’s official status.
For those traveling through or residing in Lleida province, it’s essential to note that changes will be implemented gradually over time. Residents can expect updates regarding specific timelines for when new signage will be installed along major routes and highways throughout the region.
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