Commencement of the refurbishment project on the Las Teresitas breakwater, situated at the furthermost point of this beach area on the Santa Cruz shoreline, has led to initial grievances from beach visitors. The closure of over fifty percent of the land area routinely utilized as a parking space has sparked discontent.
The Santa Cruz City Council has implemented this closure to accommodate the machinery of Satocan, the company responsible for the efforts to overhaul the breakwater. Furthermore, beach access and bathing in the section of the cove adjacent to the breakwater have been restricted.
Residents of Chicharrera beach informed DIARIO DE AVISOS yesterday that the closure of a part of the parking lot in the aforementioned area “will inevitably lead to traffic congestion,” given the significant influx of visitors, especially on weekends or as summer approaches.”
As a consequence, they are urging the discovery of “more feasible” alternatives to relocate some of the machinery elsewhere, as “during weekends when operations are inactive, this land area remains closed despite being unused, resulting in reduced parking spaces,” they highlighted.
The affected individuals noted that “there is another vacant space in the middle of the beach, just beneath the incline, which is also unpaved and could accommodate the construction booths and machinery since over fifty parking spaces have been taken away. This, coupled with the prohibition of driving and parking in the closest lane to the sandy region, means that ultimately, the most impacted individuals are the public.”
In response, the Councilor for Infrastructure, Javier Rivero, clarified yesterday that “the unpaved area, designated for material collection for the project, will continue until approximately January next year, the anticipated completion time for the breakwater refurbishment.”
The mayor emphasised that the dirt area “had been shut for years during previous slope works,” affirming that “it is not a designated parking area.” He acknowledged that, despite causing inconvenience to certain users, particularly the vendors positioned towards the end of the beach, the only option is to maintain the fenced-off space until the project’s conclusion.
The restoration of the Las Teresitas beach breakwater, involving a €2.1 million investment and scheduled over a 7-month period, aims to restore the breakwater for safe pedestrian access and sea proximity. This urgent intervention by the city council is crucial as the breakwater, constructed in the 1980s, has missing blocks in the protective layer, mainly on the outer slope and the nose towards the foot of the dam.
Subsequent to its rectification, the dam will be reconstructed, raising it by a few centimetres to counter wave erosion. Additionally, the overhaul will include revamping the entire promenade, installation of new sea access stairs, and a ramp to link the breakwater with the sandy shore.
