Residents unconvinced by traffic 'improvements' in La Azohía

Traffic islands and accessible pavements exacerbate the car parking shortage by the beaches of La Azohía

The Town Hall of Cartagena has proudly announced that work is complete on the creation of new “accessible pavements” in the San Ginés residential area of La Azohía at a cost of just 48,102 euros.

According to the council, these “improvements”, which include the establishment of a one-way system at junctions, the installation of bollards which narrow the road and the creation of ramps between the road surface and the pavement itself, will contribute to increased road and pedestrian safety, especially during the busy summer season.

However, some residents are struggling to see the value of this investment at a junction where, it has to be said, it is hard to recall any traffic accidents in at least the last 38 years. What is clear, though, is that the access between the main road and Calle Meridiano (as well as the junction with Avenida Occidente) has been made rather more complicated, and that, with reference to the “busy summer season”, this appears to be another step in a pre-meditated campaign to reduce the amount of available parking space year after year.

It has become more and more common in recent years for day trippers to the beaches of La Azohía and Isla Plana to park on the private driveways of residents and homeowners, so great has been the loss of less controversial parking areas, and the latest bollards and one-way arrangements occupy space which in previous summers has been occupied by around a dozen cars.

At the same time, while no one disputes the importance of road and pedestrian safety, the recent addition of a lethal speed bump in the village has left more than one driver frustrated and out of pocket: if a saloon car has to navigate the speed bump in first gear, it is not hard to imagine the problems experienced by the hundreds who choose to park their motorhomes on waste ground in La Azohía during the winter!

Or, indeed, the frustrated drivers waiting behind them!

As for the council press release’s assertion that the latest spending underlines the Town Hall’s commitment to the well-being of residents in La Azohía and Isla Plana, this seems at odds with the reality. Certainly, the long-awaited opening of the new medical ‘consultorio’ in La Azohía ends approximately 5 years of having to travel to Isla Plana or Puerto de Mazarrón, but on the other hand, the clean-up following the heavy rain of the last couple of weeks is progressing slowly at best.

By Monday November 18 the worst of the debris had been cleared, but even so this is a timespan which surely would not have been allowed to elapse in other parts of Cartagena, particularly the city centre!

Meanwhile, the installation of what some hoped would be new street lighting on Avenida Occidente around 6 weeks ago seems to have come to a halt. While the tall white posts are in place, there is no lamp on top of them, dashing the hopes of those who imagined they would be able to see while taking the rubbish out at night.

Perhaps the poles could be used to hoist flags and banners proclaiming the Town Hall’s commitment to improving the lives of residents?

Images: Ayuntamiento de Cartagena