The residents of the coastal town of Las Galletas are calling for improvements to be made to the promenade. They highlight that over the past few years, this pedestrian pathway has experienced significant damage to its infrastructure, posing safety hazards for pedestrians.
They point out that the promenade has experienced the dislocation of “parts of the ground,” leading to the displacement of numerous stones, rocks, and other large materials along several sections. Additionally, they raise concerns about cracks in the pavement due to deterioration and the accumulation of garbage caused by human activities.
Local Community
Multiple locals have described the gradual deterioration of the promenade to the media. “The degradation of this promenade has been ongoing for quite some time. Residents have been alerting the authorities about this issue for years, but our pleas have fallen on deaf ears,” one resident summarized. Another resident shared how the deterioration has resulted in incidents that could have had tragic consequences: “Just a few days ago, a tourist stepped beyond the marked boundary and a section of the walkway detached, almost causing a serious accident.”
Cristian Rodríguez, a coastal resident with reduced mobility, shared his struggles as the promenade lacks accessibility for wheelchair users, hindering his ability to fully enjoy the area. He expressed, “It’s a challenge for both myself and children to navigate through that space.” “For years, my spouse and I have endured the issues stemming from the poor conditions of the promenade and the debris in the cracks,” he stressed, urging the City Council for assistance, stating, “This is not the beach experience we should be having.”
Clari Pérez, the deputy mayor, informed the media that efforts have been underway for months to address the maintenance of the Las Galletas promenade. The councillor mentioned that “municipal experts have compiled a detailed report on the condition of the section, and the Arona City Council, following a positive evaluation, has forwarded the necessary documentation to initiate the request with Costas.” The councillor added that pending a final meeting with Costas to finalize the contract, they anticipate the rehabilitation of this problematic area in the upcoming months.
