Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 28 Mar. (Europa Press) –
The plenary session of the Cabildo de Tenerife has sanctioned a motion this Friday instructing the Ministry of the Interior to once again augment the number of traffic civil guards on the island, as an urgent measure aimed at addressing the current mobility issues in the Rural Park of Anaga.
This is a comprehensive amendment, proposed by the Canarian Coalition and the Popular Party, to a motion put forward by the socialist group to ensure that “the promises” made by Rosa Dávila are fulfilled: including the establishment of deterrent parking in Almáciga and the quarries and the enforcement of a ban on large tourist coaches.
The initiative received substantial support in the ordinary plenary held on Friday, with 19 votes in favour and 11 abstentions.
Socialist councillor Javier Rodríguez cautioned that the requests from his party are “very fundamental and straightforward things”, which are intended to “actualise what was announced” by the head of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila. Additionally, he has called for the formation of a commission to oversee the responses to this issue.
“We have been presented with a lacklustre amendment, termed urgent measures, and within it there is nothing more than ‘continue to promote, continue collaborating’ … If we observe that these measures are not yielding results, why persist with the same actions?” remarked the socialist councillor during the plenary.
From the Mixed Group, represented by Ana Salazar (Vox), the council’s efforts have been commended regarding the development of a sustainable mobility strategy. However, she emphasised that the “constant traffic congestion” persists, alongside “the lack of public transport and the parking of vehicles in prohibited areas.”
The Minister of Mobility for the Cabildo, Eulalia García, underscored “the significant preoccupation” of the island president, Rosa Dávila, regarding the criticisms made by the opposition, and how the residents are being “used” to propagate a “narrative” that “has no relation to the park.”
She elaborated that, as a result of coordinated efforts, the Cabildo is developing a sustainable mobility strategy for the reserve, which aims to improve the current situation, enhance the integration of the less accessible population centres, and regulate how visitors experience the park.
“We are engaging with municipalities, local associations, all security forces, and business groups …”, García noted.
She confirmed that it will be “in May” when the restriction on large tourist vehicles circulating through the Anaga Rural Park reserve will take effect. In the meantime, she added, the Cabildo anticipates having the necessary land to facilitate deterrent parking by “2025” and will subsequently organise the vehicles from there.
Other Agreements
The motion also resolves to persist in promoting, “with the utmost urgency”, the creation, approval, and implementation of the Sustainable Mobility Strategy in Anaga.
Furthermore, the commitment is to continue “developing and implementing all measures and initiatives relating to public collective transport, signage, road infrastructure, traffic management, or any other” improvements to mobility.
This also includes collaboration with the Autonomous Public Administration to further increase the presence of members of the General Corps of the Canarian Police.
In this context, García disclosed that since Wednesday, arrangements have been made for the Canarian police to be present from Monday to Friday, between 10 am and 2 pm, at Cruz del Carmen. The La Laguna City Council will, in turn, provide coverage during weekends and holidays.
Additionally, they agreed to enhance collaboration with the municipalities of Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Cristóbal de la Laguna for a greater presence of the Local Police during peak influx periods, particularly at weekends and holidays.
