The mayor of Garachico, José Heriberto González, does not give up the launch of a funicular to connect the upper neighborhoods with the town center, the only viable option given the orography of the Villa and Puerto and an alternative to the difficulties that it offers the TF-421 road. This last route is the only option to get in and out of Isla Baja when sea storms force Adolfo Suárez avenue to be closed and it is the main connection between the Daute coastline and its midlands, but the complexity of its curves, the narrowness of the roadway and the risk of landslides condition its use, despite being essential for the region.
The TF-42, which connects the municipality with that of Icod de los Vinos, also has serious risks of landslides and presents unfortunate conditions, which, in addition, endanger the safety of vehicles. Currently, the residents of neighborhoods such as San Juan del Reparo, La Culata and Genovés, for example, have to travel to Icod and then return to Garachico if they want to go to the town. If they offer an alternative transport, such as the funicular, they could do it directly, he adds.
In December 2019, the mayor and island director of Mobility, José Alberto León, agreed to review the project drawn up in 2005 by the Pico del Teide cable car company (with private and public participation of the Cabildo de Tenerife), which also carried out the investment. This promised to restore and clean the area of the Cliff of La Culata.
In 2008, it received the first approval and, the following year, Cotmac approved the Special Protection Plan for this last space, which included a 15-meter-wide corridor for this transportation system.
But from that moment, the project stalled “for a few meters”, despite the fact that it was always said that the layout was not rigid, but that it would adapt to what was established by the environmental impact study.
The initiative was stopped that same year, because some of the environmental reports were not favourable. There have been several attempts to unlock it, but so far none have been successful. Currently, it is pending to be analyzed within the framework of the Insular Plan for Sustainable Mobility (Pimsit), confirmed from the Cabildo.
“I don’t want to go against the technical reports nor do I want to put pressure on anyone. Nor does it touch any tree or any animal species or of geological or archaeological interest, but I think that a slightly greater effort of understanding must be made and if things have to be corrected, they must be corrected, ”clarifies the president.
If it becomes a reality, it would be the first funicular in Tenerife “and that is still an important tourist attraction in addition to the best connection between the town and the midlands”, insists the president.
According to the project, it would have capacity for about 70 people and would be glazed to enjoy the views offered by the municipality.
