Santa Cruz is set to introduce dynamic panels along the principal thoroughfares of the capital to provide motorists with real-time updates on the availability of spaces in underground parking facilities managed by the Chicharrero City Council. This initiative, part of the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (PMUS), is anticipated to be operational by early 2026, alongside two new traffic light-style signs which will be installed next week on Maritime Avenue, Anaga Avenue, and the San Andrés highway, allowing users to ascertain parking availability before heading to Las Teresitas beach.
The Councillor for Mobility, Evelyn Alonso, announced yesterday that “the intention is to provide accurate data regarding the occupancy levels of the capital’s underground parking, with the objective of minimising the amount of time vehicles spend searching for a parking space and reducing not only congestion but also CO2 emissions.” During the presentation of the area’s 2025 budget, which totals €27 million, the mayor explained that “European funding will be allocated to implement this information system for the parking facilities, with an allocation of €500,000 earmarked this year for the drafting of the project and its subsequent tender, which is expected to occur in May or June.”
“We aim to commence the project’s execution by the end of the year, so by 2026, Santa Cruz will have dynamic panels providing this information, which will also be accessible via the municipal website,” revealed Alonso. However, she added that “the possibility of developing a mobile application (app) in this respect has not been dismissed, and in the future, it could include parking spaces at shopping centres, where vehicle entry and exit can be tracked.”
Concerning the dynamic signs intended to relay parking information at Las Teresitas, an initiative that will cost approximately €250,000, the councillor explained that “by mid-year, during Holy Week, they should be operational.” These panels will operate with colours similar to traffic lights and will include four categories indicating available spaces, caravan parking, and spaces for personal mobility vehicles (PMR).
To complement this measure aimed at alleviating traffic congestion in this coastal area, an exclusive beach lane will be introduced, activated solely on days when a pre-alert or heat alert has been declared.
Control Centre
Additionally, Alonso indicated that another initiative from her department will involve tendering for the equipment of a new mobility control centre in the last quarter of 2025. This will include the integration of digital technologies, such as a Videowall visualisation system, among other essential infrastructures to be implemented on the Smart Mobility platform. The operational hub, to be situated in the municipal building on Antequera Street, will have a multi-year budget of €4.3 million.
