The Prohibition on access for large tourist coaches to Anaga Rural Park is set to become effective in May. Although the president of the Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, had previously announced in November that this measure would be enacted in January, the Minister of Mobility, Eulalia García, acknowledged yesterday that, “In my estimate, it could have been implemented on January 1, because I take responsibility; however, I did not factor in the timelines of external parties.” “Regardless, I can confirm that there is no barrier to its development, and it will take place in May,” she added.
This information was revealed yesterday by the councillor during the insular assembly, while debating a motion put forth by the PSOE concerning the mobility strategies proposed for Anaga.
On the 19th, Rosa Dávila had indicated, following a Governing Council meeting, that an agreement had been made with the Provincial Traffic Directorate and the relevant subsector regarding a gradual decrease in the number of tourist coaches permitted access to Anaga, commencing with those measuring 12.2 metres. However, the implementation still required the resolution from the traffic department.
Concerning other initiatives in Anaga, the Mobility Minister also announced that, as of last Wednesday, a collaboration has been established with the Canarian Police to conduct control and surveillance operations “on Mondays and Fridays, from 10 am to 2 pm, in the La Cruz del Carmen area,” which will complement the efforts of the Santa Cruz and La Laguna local police during weekends.
Eulalia García emphasised that this initiative, along with the size reduction of tourist coaches, “are two measures that will prove most effective in the short term and will help ease congestion in that region,” though she also noted that “this does not imply that mobility throughout the park does not require enhancement.”
Regarding the planned deterrent parking facilities for accessing Anaga, she stated, “Our commitment remains steadfast: we aim to have the necessary land by 2025 to establish these facilities and from which we can organise those transport solutions, and we are working on it.”
The PSOE denounced in their motion, which was ultimately not accepted, that the Cabildo had failed to implement the announced mobility measures for Anaga, and called for the establishment of a monitoring committee. Meanwhile, an amendment from the Government Group (CC-PP), which received support from Vox, committed to continuing the ongoing projects and, “once again, to the Ministry of the Interior, and through the Government subdelegation, to increase the number of Civil Traffic Guards” in the area.
Housing Issues
On another note, the island government also presented and voted on a motion, with the backing of Vox and the opposition of the PSOE, to promote, in cooperation with municipalities, the establishment of an insular office for citizens to receive information and advice on housing. According to the text, this office will be aimed at providing technical assistance in navigating judicial or administrative processes regarding housing rights. Additionally, it will inform about legal rights and pathways in relation to property occupation and will offer mediation services in cases of eviction.
The agreement also calls for groups with representation in the Congress of Deputies to urgently advocate for a reform of the national regulatory framework regarding housing which, among other aspects, “ensures the effective protection of property rights.”
In the motion, the regional government is additionally urged to broaden the Canarian housing strategy with a greater emphasis on stimulating the construction of affordable housing. During discussions, the Government Group stressed the “failure” of the State Housing Law, which has led to “the loss of nearly 8,000 homes in the market” due to the “legal insecurity” it creates, as stated by nationalist councillor Juan José Martínez. “The reality is that the State Housing Law does not protect homeowners,” added the Minister for Housing, Sofía Hernández.
Meanwhile, Priscila de León of the PSOE cautioned that “care must be taken not to incite fear with the discourse regarding occupation, especially since the data do not support such claims,” and advocated for the establishment of a public housing company in Tenerife.
Socio-Health Centres
The assembly also approved a credit modification proposal amounting to €45.9 million, with votes from the government group, the abstention from Vox, and opposition from the PSOE. Among the largest allocations, €8 million is designated for the procurement of 70 vehicles for Titsa, alongside €18 million to tender this year for the socio-health centres in Añaza, “which will facilitate the relocation of all patients in vulnerable situations and enable the construction of its new centre”, as per the insular director of the Treasury, Juan Carlos Pérez Frías. Furthermore, €500,000 is allocated to assist the City of Santa Cruz “to facilitate the expropriation and subsequent demolition of a building located in Añaza.”
In addition, the assembly unanimously passed a transactional amendment linked to this file, redirecting €180,000 that was intended for the Cabildo streaming channel, as stated by the government group, towards the Steam programme of the Scientific and Technological Park. The PSOE had flagged that the fund was initially aimed at launching a television channel, a claim which the island government refuted.
