The Sustainable City zone has recently wrapped up the first phase of the initiative to enhance the accessibility of Puerto de la Cruz. These measures are part of the urban planning efforts overseen by David Hernández (ACP), who has been overseeing enhancements to the town’s pavements and walkways since 2019, aiming to make them more accessible.
Hernández, with a focus on establishing “accessible routes” for individuals with mobility challenges to navigate without obstacles, has identified the problematic zones through a participatory process called Urban Women. Together with the Accessibility Map crafted by Sinpromi, this information has guided the route map for the construction company working on various roads in the area.
The project’s design, which was finalised in 2023, entails a range of accessibility measures, including 23 pedestrian crossings (with lowered kerbs) implemented in the neighbourhoods of San Antonio, La Vera, and El Botánico. Additionally, a ramp was added on La Salud Street in San Antonio. Moreover, improvements were made in San Fernando (around Bellevue and Switzerland Street), El Taoro, and Las Dehesas.
“We have executed a total of 30-35 interventions between 2022 and 2024, with the numbers subject to change as the second phase, along with an assessment of all walkways in the municipality as proposed in a motion by the Canary Coalition and unanimously supported by all groups in the Accessibility Commission,” explained Hernández.
These interventions have varied in significance and involved a considerable municipal investment of around one million euros. Notable examples include the Plaza de la Constitución and the pavement near the Church of La Peñita.
“We recognise that there is still work to be done in the area, given the lack of maintenance on many roads over the years, but we have all the necessary plans in place, with some projects already underway or in the planning stages,” Hernández clarified.
The mayor highlighted pending projects for Perdomo Street, Antonio González Avenue, and the final section of Pérez Zamora Road, collectively exceeding one million euros. The upcoming phase will encompass La Paz, Quintana, Jardín Tucán, Las Dehesas, and La Vera, as well as Punta Brava.
Furthermore, Ciudad Sostenible has just finished resurfacing Mamora Street. This initiative commenced last November with the tendering process for a new wave of pavement enhancements across various roads in the town, aligning with the asphalt plan initiated in the previous term.
The new round of contracts, the first during this administration, is a continuation of the planning initiated in 2019, covering around thirty streets with a total investment of 365,124 euros, including roads such as Mamora, Almácigo con Garoé, Azucena, Las Quinteras, and Lane.