Residents of the Masca Barranco, located in Buenavista del Norte (Tenerife), are in the process of preparing a document outlining their requests to the Public Authorities, specifically directed to the Local Council and the Cabildo. They are seeking resolutions for a locality that, they claim, experiences “daily disruptions” in traffic and “citizen insecurity” due to “inadequate” infrastructure, all while the area transforms into a “theme park” for tourists, being referred to as the “Spanish Machu Picchu”.
In an interview with Europa Press, Jorge Javier Díaz, the president of the Neighbours Association of the Masca Barranco, summarised the primary concerns of residents who currently struggle to navigate their daily lives owing to the influx of tourists and the “lack of organisation” on their streets and infrastructures. They also highlight deficiencies regarding police presence, parking facilities, and the signage plan.
In addition to the shortage of officers to ensure proper adherence to regulations, particularly concerning visitors parking in prohibited areas, Díaz emphasises the perceived lack of safety: “Thefts occur at the viewpoints day in and day out. We acknowledge the significant work the Civil Guard is doing with limited resources, but what we truly require is police presence,” he remarked.
The community representative further commented on the conditions of the road traversing the area, which was constructed “by the residents themselves” between the 1960s and 1980s, designed to accommodate only a single vehicle. Nowadays, he claims, there is a demand for additional access, improved surfacing, and even an expansion of the road.
“Mobile applications are not sufficient, colour traffic lights won’t suffice, nor will luminous alerts, as those merely assist but do not resolve the issue. Many of the problems would be addressed with a police presence and a tow truck,” the president cautioned, confirming that while the police can come and issue a citation for a poorly parked vehicle, “there is no tow truck to remove it” so that residents can return to their routines.
According to data managed by the president, approximately 50 designated parking spaces are available in the vicinity, a complication that is exacerbated by the current state of a locality that, they argue, lacks an adequate signage plan. “Tourists do not see any signage or parking as they approach a locality,” he illustrates.
Tourist Access Fee to the Ravine
The Cabildo de Tenerife is set to implement a fee for non-residents for regulated access to the Masca Barranco starting from the summer of 2024. Residents argue that this decision was taken without consulting them, despite them owning properties in the area: “The riverbed of the ravine is public, but the access route, or the portion of the passage that traverses private properties, encompasses many areas.”
In that regard, they are anticipated to reconvene with the City Council to discuss this matter, following a preliminary meeting where they submitted the necessary property documentation. For the moment, they have established a mobility committee to address traffic congestion.
“Two weeks ago, we sent a letter to the Cabildo stating that we were going to change the access code, and now we have the key for access. But until two weeks ago, it was not so,” says Díaz, in response to queries about access to properties with restrictions in the ravine.
They advocate for establishing regulations governing tourist access to the ravine, especially given the “excesses” they have witnessed from visitors, but they insist on their right to be included in that process, alongside their other requests, as they feel overwhelmed by tourism and are appealing for comfort.
“All the focus is on the tourism aspect, but when do we consider the residents?” queries Jorge Javier.
