During its latest session, the La Laguna City Council plenum has reached an agreement “to explore the possibility of introducing a regulation that can ensure the protection of designated roads and trails, along with the surrounding vegetation, using the Homologation Criteria and Guide of the Tenerife Trails Network endorsed by the Cabildo in April 2019 as a reference.” This decision is detailed in the institutional agreement approved following a motion presented by Unidas se puede and mutually agreed upon with the local government (PSOE-CC).
Regarding the proposed regulation, Environment Councillor, Domingo Galván, has mentioned recently, “we are examining similar regulations that are in place across Spain, particularly in the Canary Islands, to explore how we can collaboratively initiate this process.” The intention is to kickstart the initial draft “and engage primarily with key stakeholders such as mountaineering and hiking federations and associations, as well as relevant neighbourhood groups, to potentially have a draft by the end of the year for public review.”
Domingo Galván highlighted that the decision taken during the plenary session “builds upon work that has been ongoing since the previous term and has made significant progress in the current one.” “We are currently in coordination with the Cabildo, particularly concerning traditional roads and trails, where we have commenced work through the insular trails strategy. A meeting has already taken place with the Treasury and Heritage departments to assess the existing inventory, its current state, and future steps,” he elaborated.
This collaboration involves Grupo Montañeros de Tenerife, and the initial two roads identified for action, Las Lecheras and Cañada Verde, are areas where passage traverses private properties. Discussions with the Cabildo will explore the feasibility of reaching agreements to reclaim these passageways for public use,” stated the councillor.
Among the resolutions outlined in the plenary session agreement is the commitment to continue this work, including assessing the potential declaration of Cañada Verde Lagunera as a Cultural Interest Asset by competent authorities. The text also emphasises the need to “pursue the planning and execution of measures to regulate activities with significant visual impact, directing them to appropriate locations.”
In addition to “encouraging initiatives that boost awareness, utilisation, and enjoyment of roads and trails, including research, signposting, guides or publications, themed routes, and maintaining educational activities”; as well as “propelling efforts to facilitate the development and transformation of urban trails or roads, creating informative materials and promoting their utilisation.”
“We included this final point because we believe shaping urban routes passing through green areas in the municipality is vital to encourage healthy lifestyle practices among residents,” stated Galván, who proposed “developing a pamphlet or poster with tips for the public” when exploring these areas.
Unidas highlighted that their proposal, advocated by Idaira Afonso, concentrated on the necessity to conserve these routes which are not only vital for the natural and cultural heritage of the Canary Islands but also reinforce the identity and unity of local communities by striving to document and safeguard routes like the Camino de San Miguel de Geneto, the Camino de la Villa, and the historic Cañada Verde, amongst others.
