Good morning. Here are seven selected developments shaping Pistoia and the surrounding province on Thursday, July 30.
1. A new planning phase opens for the Ville Sbertoli complex
The Region, the local health authority and Pistoia City Council are expected to meet in September to discuss the future of the former psychiatric hospital, which has stood unused for nearly five decades. The ASL-owned site includes about 20 buildings in a five-hectare park. Authorities are considering a public-private regeneration model and a mix of residential and public functions, potentially including university or health-related uses. No funded redevelopment scheme has yet been announced. Source: Il Tirreno – Pistoia.
2. €150,000 allocated for five new emergency ambulances
Fondazione Caript is providing €30,000 each to five volunteer organisations serving Bottegone, Monsummano Terme, Cintolese, Uzzano, Larciano and nearby communities. The grants will support the purchase of five Type A ambulances for emergency and urgent-care services. With a new ambulance now costing around €100,000, the foundation also plans to work with local associations on longer-term fleet renewal. Source: Report Pistoia.
3. Montecatini’s municipal swimming pool remains closed
The city’s public pool is still unavailable after the previous operating agreement expired in January. The administration says a technical assessment identified problems in the summer facilities and that temporary reopening would require roughly a month of work; prospective short-term managers did not proceed. Opposition councillor Andrea Bonvicini has filed a complaint with the Pistoia prosecutor alleging interruption of a public service. The allegation has not been adjudicated. Source: La Nazione – Montecatini.
4. Specialist prostate MRI service starts at Pescia hospital
San Cosma e Damiano Hospital has activated a multiparametric MRI service dedicated to prostate examinations. The specialist diagnostic pathway expands the use of the hospital’s modern magnetic-resonance equipment and strengthens local access to imaging for suspected prostate disease. Source: La Nazione – Montecatini.
5. Pieve a Nievole plans 100 new trees over two years
A local environmental partnership involving the municipality, Vannucci Piante and Legambiente aims to plant 100 trees in two years. The donated trees are intended for an urban woodland, school grounds and other public areas, adding shade and green infrastructure across the town. Source: La Nazione – Montecatini.
6. Pistoia records Tuscany’s highest driving-test failure rate
A new provincial comparison places Pistoia at the top of Tuscany for candidates failing the practical driving examination. The result points to a local road-safety and training issue worth watching, although individual outcomes vary by test centre and candidate group. Source: Il Tirreno – Pistoia.
7. Temporary road restrictions affect two city streets today
Drivers should allow extra time around Via della Chiesina, where a section is subject to no-transit and no-parking rules on July 29–30, and Via Fonda di San Vitale, where a section is also closed to traffic and parking today. Local access and diversions depend on on-site signs. Sources: Comune di Pistoia and Report Pistoia.
Morning Brief is an original English-language summary of selected local reporting and official updates. Details may change during the day.