ARONA (TENERIFE), 23rd February (EUROPA PRESS) –
Manuel Domínguez, the Vice President of the Canary Islands, paid a visit to the Arona City Council on Friday to discuss with Mayor Fátima Lemes and other council members the proposal of redirecting freight traffic through the industrial port of Granadilla to alleviate congestion in Los Cristianos.
Domínguez stressed the importance of easing the flow of traffic at the Los Cristianos port. Following a recent meeting with the Port Authority’s president, it was decided to carry out a “test experience” in collaboration with various shipping companies to divert the cargo traffic to the Granadilla port.
“This is the initial option, and based on its results, it may be supplemented with additional measures,” he stated.
“It is unacceptable for both residents and tourists to endure traffic congestion, which at times is completely gridlocked. There are instances when it takes longer to leave Los Cristianos and reach the highway than it does for a maritime journey from La Gomera to here,” he emphasized in a statement from the Government.
Domínguez also discussed other topics during the meeting with Lemes, including the Southern Hospital, which is still operating as a specialized care facility. While steps have been taken by the Canary Islands Government to upgrade it to the required second-level hospital standard.
“I have informed the mayor that two additional operating rooms are now functional and the emergency services are operational round the clock. The aim is to keep progressing in this direction in the coming months,” he explained.
The conversation also touched on investments, with Domínguez lamenting the lack of progress in infrastructure development due to the neglect from the previous regional government, resulting in 9 million euros being refunded. This sum was intended for infrastructure construction in Arona, the third most populous municipality in Tenerife and one of the key tourist hubs in the Canary Islands.
INADEQUATE PRACTICES IN SOCIAL HOUSING
Speaking on housing issues, Domínguez criticised a national law that “hinders the availability of more rental options.”
He expressed, “The shortcomings in the previous administrations in the Canary Islands led to a limited availability of public housing. However, the current government has taken a step forward by introducing an emergency decree offering various solutions to increase the availability of free and public housing, ensuring sustainable housing policies not only in Arona but also across all 88 municipalities in this archipelago, for the near, medium, and long term.
Fátima Lemes expressed her gratitude to Manuel Domínguez for his efforts in exploring ways to reduce port traffic in Los Cristianos.
“We will collaborate with the Port Authority to identify the most effective approach to achieve this. I am confident that the agreements we have reached today will benefit not only Arona but also the entire southern region of Tenerife,” she stated.
