Calls for Accessible Access on New Padre Anchieta Walkway
The Sí se puede party is urging the Cabildo de Tenerife to urgently reassess accessibility criteria on the newly built Padre Anchieta walkway. This request comes after serious concerns were raised by the Queremos Movernos association regarding significant barriers that hinder safe and independent use for people with mobility impairments and visual disabilities.
Vanesa Martín, spokesperson for Sí se puede in the Canary Islands, described it as alarming that a major project designed to meet current accessibility laws still presents obstacles preventing many citizens from exercising their right to move freely.
Tests conducted by Queremos Movernos found that only one wheelchair user could navigate the walkway independently. Others, including those using crutches or walkers, struggled to reach the top, and a wheelchair user requiring assistance faced difficulties due to the steep incline.
Key issues identified include excessively long and steep ramps that make ascent challenging even with resting areas. Furthermore, these resting spaces do not ensure wheelchair stability and offer limited protection from the weather, complicating use during rain or hot temperatures.
The challenges extend beyond those with mobility issues. Observations indicate that the design lacks essential features for blind and deafblind individuals, such as clear lateral references and tactile guidance, particularly in the central part of the walkway and at access points to the plaza.
Queremos Movernos has also highlighted confusing pavements that mimic guide strips without serving their intended purpose, creating additional obstacles. The plaza leading to university buildings lacks tactile references to support visually impaired navigation.
Particularly concerning is access from the Geneto road, where current conditions make it nearly impossible for manual wheelchair users to access the walkway, whether independently or with assistance.
Sí se puede argues these shortcomings illustrate the need for strengthened oversight of public works. They question why a project of this nature was not subject to thorough practical evaluation by accessibility experts before opening.
“The accessibility standards should not merely be a bureaucratic formality but an effective guarantee of the right for everyone to use public spaces equally,” said Vanesa Martín. “We cannot allow a facility designed to connect busy areas to exclude those who need accessible public spaces the most.”
The party has reminded the Cabildo of Tenerife about specialised organisations like Sinpromi, advocating for their systematic involvement in the planning and validation of similar projects. They emphasise that organisations representing people with disabilities should participate from initial planning stages through to final evaluations.
Sí se puede has expressed full support for Queremos Movernos’ demands and is calling for prompt action to ensure the Padre Anchieta walkway can be safely and easily used by all, regardless of physical or sensory capabilities. They concluded that universal accessibility is not an optional addition to public infrastructure but a fundamental requirement for equality, inclusion, and the realisation of mobility rights for all citizens.
