The council confirm your historic commitment to the Atogo Motor Circuit, in Granadilla de Abona, by approving an economic injection of 5.1 million euros to start the first works before the end of the year. By 27 votes in favor and 3 against with the insular plenary session as a framework.
The PSOE and Cs government claims to assume the amendments of the opposition, CC and PP, to reach this consensus. Including the creation of a Monitoring Commission that integrates representatives of federations and teams although “they do not believe it is necessary.”
Everyone arrogates success and blames themselves for having rectified their positions since the plenary session on the 4th when nationalists and popular voters voted against. All except Sí Podemos Canarias, external support from the government, which then, now, with the intervention of its counselor María José Belda, and from minute one has maintained its opposition to the infrastructure. The purple spokeswoman wonders: “What has changed in 23 days for them to vote in favor now?” And she concludes: “We maintain that those five million should go to social housing”
Motor lovers show their support for the promised circuit for more than three decades and meet in the morning at the gates of the Insular Palace. They are also seen inside and after the vote they burst into a round of applause and show their relief between hugs. The danger passes.
The insular plenary gives the green light, therefore, to the infrastructure, an old aspiration of the sector. Apparently, according to his own speech, we must thank all the political groups because, although they ended up sharing congratulations with each other, the truth is that they were responsible for unlocking the symbolic economic item. Exactly 5,177,000 euros. The item comes out of a credit modification financed with the remainder of the treasury from the general expenses of the 2022 budget. It was rejected on May 4 when it was included as one more in the investments worth 126 million.
Government.
The island president Peter Martinsums up that “it would have been unfortunate if this important project for the Island of Tenerife be blocked as a matter of political tactics. He was pleased that the opposition has changed its position to give free rein, he says, “to a project historically demanded by many groups.”
The First Vice President and Councilor for Highways, Enrique Arriaga, points out: “With the agreement, a crucial step is taken for the start-up of the works of a first-class sports infrastructure, as well as a tourist attraction for the Island.”
Canary Coalition.
The insular group of CC-PNC also assumes the impetus for the construction of the Motor Circuit through the agreement adopted “in which it is urged to tender and execute the works in the period 2022-2025 and guarantee the financing of the same ». The nationalist counselor, Verónica Meseguer, defends the historical position of her group that “has not changed” and also appreciates the support of the PSOE, PP and Ciudadanos
Meseguer highlights the creation of the Works Monitoring Commission «where all the political groups of the Cabildo and a representative of the most prominent entities in the motor world will be present. The commission will also have the presence of officials from the Cabildo area in charge of the construction of the Motor Circuit.
“The objective is to have maximum transparency –explains Meseguer– and meet bimonthly until the work is finished because we are going to inspect it”. The first meeting will take place on July 1.
The People’s Party.
“The PP gets the Cabildo to commit to promoting a Multi-annual Investment Plan of 60 million euros for the Motor Circuit.” It is the literal tenor of the communication of the popular after the plenary session. They are satisfied with the agreement, “because the 5 million proposed by the government – which are maintained for this year – are not going to guarantee that this strategic sports infrastructure will be put into operation.” The adviser Valentin Gonzalez assures him, who maintains the position of the group.
The Multiannual Investment Plan proposed by the Popular Party arises “from the dialogue with the members of the sector, who demand concrete actions that translate into the start-up of the Circuit as soon as possible.”
“If the island government fulfills its commitment, the Circuit could be at full capacity in 2025,” says González Évora.
The circuit.
The circuit, whose project dates back to 1990, has already received international approvals from the Motorcycling and Automobile Federations. To date, the works of the North access in its phase I are practically finished pending the junction with the TF-647. With the approval of this new investment, the tenders for phase II of this access and the interventions on the track, paddock and the canalization of the surrounding ravines will be launched. Blocks two and three remain pending, which include the southern access, the main building in its Phase I and II and the auxiliary facilities, the car park and the connection to the motorway. It is estimated that they will be up and running by the end of 2023. The motion plans to complete the contracted work in 2018 with Gestur.
