This Friday, the Plenary of the Cabildo de Tenerife has sanctioned a motion that mandates the Ministry of the Interior to once again increase the number of traffic civil guards on the island as part of urgent measures designed to address the ongoing mobility issues within the Anaga Rural Park.
This amendment, put forward by the Canarian Coalition and the Popular Party, pertains to a motion from the socialist group aimed at ensuring the realisation of the promises made by Rosa Dávila: to establish deterrent parking areas in Almáciga and at the quarries, as well as to implement the ban on large tourist buses.
The initiative received majority support during Friday’s ordinary plenary session, with 19 votes in favour and 11 abstentions.
Socialist councillor Javier Rodríguez cautioned that his party is asking for “very fundamental and straightforward things”, which involve “adhering to what was pledged” by the head of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila. He added the request to form a committee to monitor the responses to this issue.
“We have been presented with an inadequate amendment, labelled as urgent measures, which merely states ‘continue promoting, continue collaborating’… If we observe that these measures yield no results, why persist with the same actions?” stated the socialist councillor during the plenary.
From the mixed group, voiced by Ana Salazar (Vox), the council’s efforts were acknowledged regarding the development of the sustainable mobility strategy; however, she elaborated that the “constant traffic gridlock” persists, along with “the absence of public transport and illegal parking in restricted areas.”
The Minister of Mobility for the Cabildo, Eulalia García, emphasised “the considerable preoccupation” of island president Rosa Dávila concerning the criticisms from the opposition, and the way in which residents are “exploited” to create a “discourse” that “has nothing to do with the park.”
She expanded that, through successful coordination, the Cabildo is implementing a sustainable mobility strategy for the reserve, aimed at improving the current situation, facilitating the integration of less accessible communities, and regulating access to the park.
“We are collaborating with municipalities, local neighbourhood associations, all security forces, and business groups…”, García listed.
She highlighted that the restrictions on large tourist buses circulating through the Anaga Rural Park reserve will come into effect “in May.” In the meantime, she added, the Cabildo anticipates that by “2025, it will have the necessary land to establish deterrent parking and organise the pathways from there.”
Other Agreements
The motion also agreed to expedite the development, approval, and implementation of the Sustainable Mobility Strategy in Anaga “as swiftly as possible.”
Furthermore, it will continue to “develop and implement all measures and actions concerning collective public transport, signage, road infrastructure, traffic management, or any other initiatives” that enhance mobility.
Additionally, there will be collaboration with the Autonomous Public Administration to bolster the presence of members of the General Corps of the Canarian Police.
In this context, García revealed that since Wednesday, arrangements have been made for Canarian police to be present from Monday to Friday, from 10 am to 2 pm, in Cruz del Carmen. The La Laguna City Council will, in turn, supply personnel on weekends and holidays.
They have also agreed to enhance collaboration with the municipalities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Cristóbal de la Laguna to ensure greater Local Police presence during peak times, such as weekends and holidays.
