RONDA-SAN PEDRO TOLL MOTORWAY AWAITS VIABILITY REPORTBy David Eade
The toll motorway that will link Ronda with the Costa del Sol at San Pedro in just 21 minutes is still on the drawing board. The Partido Popular opposition at Ronda town hall has recently stated that it believes the project is dead and was a mere pre-election ploy.
Not so says the Málaga delegate for public works, Dolores Fernández. She stated that the scheme that would slash driving times by two thirds is now to undergo a second viability study.
Fernández spoke last Wednesday at a PSOE meeting at which issues affecting Ronda and the Serranía were addressed. She dismissed the PP claims and said this new report had been planned and it was not a break on the ambitious project.
Not so says the Málaga delegate for public works, Dolores Fernández. She stated that the scheme that would slash driving times by two thirds is now to undergo a second viability study.
Fernández spoke last Wednesday at a PSOE meeting at which issues affecting Ronda and the Serranía were addressed. She dismissed the PP claims and said this new report had been planned and it was not a break on the ambitious project.
She added that the new study was required by law because there had to be some adjustments to the original plans such as the possible removal of a tunnel. Other matters to be taken in to account were the cost, the social benefits to people in the Serranía and the conservation of the environment.
Another possibility is the upgrading of the existing road to San Pedro by widening the lanes and improving the trajectory. Fernández stressed that the improved safety of the road users was the major priority. Indeed the A-397 recorded 61 accidents last year and has the most black spots of any road in Málaga province.
Also at the meeting was the provincial secretary of PSOE in Málaga, Miguel Ángel Heredia who told the mayors of the Serranía: “The rapid motorway is a very difficult project and the first in which we have had to have a viability report.”
The toll motorway scheme has raised objections from both ecologists and the IU. However both have supported the upgrading of the current road so if in the end that is the agreed strategy then it would presumably have the support of these current objectors.
PROSECUTOR SEEKS JAIL TERM FOR FORMER GAUCÍN MAYOR
The Málaga prosecutor is seeking an 18 month jail term and a ten year bar from holding office for the former mayor of Gaucín Francisco Corbacho. Also implicated in the case is the municipal architect Francisco Arenas who faces the same penalties.
The case revolves around the issuing of ten licences by the mayor and the architect to build on land that is zoned as non-urban. The architect is involved because it is alleged that he approved of the issuing of the licences even though they infringed the planning law.
The case also involves five councillors who held power in Gaucín between 2003 and 2003, of whom three are members of the current PP-PA coalition.
Two mansions denounced by PSOE
The news broke days after the socialist opposition at Gaucín town hall denounced the Partido Popular mayor, Francisco Ruíz, for allowing two large mansions to be built on rustic land.
PSOE alleges that the beneficiaries are two Partido Andalucista members of his ruling coalition. Indeed although Ruíz is mayor he is entirely dependent on the Partido Andalucista for his post including the now accused councillors.
PSOE alleges that the beneficiaries are two Partido Andalucista members of his ruling coalition. Indeed although Ruíz is mayor he is entirely dependent on the Partido Andalucista for his post including the now accused councillors.
PSOE is demanding information on a house of 400 square metres that is being constructed for a family member of the former mayor Francisco Corbacho. He finally resigned last week after being convicted by the courts of misappropriating municipal funds and obstructing justice whilst mayor. He became deputy mayor when the PA backed Ruiz for the post leading to the latter’s breaking of ranks with his own party.
The socialists also want information on a 270 square metre dwelling that belongs to the PA councillor and municipal treasurer, Francisco Medina in La Hoya. PSOE is threatening to make an official complaint of obstruction against the mayor if this construction is shown not to have all the required authorisations.
For his part Ruíz has stated that the property linked to Corbacho does have favourable reports issued by both the regional government and the town hall. However in respect of the house in La Hoya he has conceded that it does not have permission from the regional government although the town hall has approved it.
Ruíz has now counterattacked by issuing an official complaint against the socialist spokesperson and former mayor, Teodoro de Molina for damages and false testimony. He also claims that the works were started when De Molina was mayor adding: “Now he has denounced the illegality of the works. What has happened is purely political.”
EROSKI INVESTMENT
The supermarket giant Eroski says it will invest 102 million euros in the construction of its new commercial centre on the site of the municipal football ground in Ronda. The development will cover 65,000 square metres and create 1,300 jobs. However the scheme has caused controversy as town centre traders fear the arrival of the giant complex will damage their businesses.
The supermarket giant Eroski says it will invest 102 million euros in the construction of its new commercial centre on the site of the municipal football ground in Ronda. The development will cover 65,000 square metres and create 1,300 jobs. However the scheme has caused controversy as town centre traders fear the arrival of the giant complex will damage their businesses.
DIFFERENT VOICE
The Partido Popular spokesperson in Ronda, Begoña Chácon, has decided to stand down from her position for personal reasons. Chácon has been combining her role as Ronda councillor and party spokesperson with that of a National MP based in Madrid. The post will now pass to councillor Marí Paz Fernández.
The Partido Popular spokesperson in Ronda, Begoña Chácon, has decided to stand down from her position for personal reasons. Chácon has been combining her role as Ronda councillor and party spokesperson with that of a National MP based in Madrid. The post will now pass to councillor Marí Paz Fernández.
PASSENGER BOOST
Ronda station saw an 11.9 per cent increase in passenger numbers in 2008 with a total of 164,040. That is 17,214 more than used the station in the previous year. July (23,567) was the busiest month followed by May (16,618) whilst the quietest month was December with 9,714 travellers.
Ronda station saw an 11.9 per cent increase in passenger numbers in 2008 with a total of 164,040. That is 17,214 more than used the station in the previous year. July (23,567) was the busiest month followed by May (16,618) whilst the quietest month was December with 9,714 travellers.
STAND AGAIN
PSOE in Ronda has recommended to the provincial party that its councillor and Euro MP Juan Fraile should stand for the European Parliament at this year’s elections. The local party praised the work of Fraile defending the interests of Málaga and Ronda hence he should have the opportunity to continue. Fraile has been a Euro MP for a year after a colleague stood down.
PSOE in Ronda has recommended to the provincial party that its councillor and Euro MP Juan Fraile should stand for the European Parliament at this year’s elections. The local party praised the work of Fraile defending the interests of Málaga and Ronda hence he should have the opportunity to continue. Fraile has been a Euro MP for a year after a colleague stood down.
DOLE TOLL
Ronda’s number of unemployed at the end of January totalled 3,782. This is the worst total since 2005. In the last month 221 people lost their jobs. Although recently the construction industry has carried the brunt of the job losses in January it hit waiting staff at hotels and restaurants. It is now widely predicted that the total will soon reach 4,000.
Ronda’s number of unemployed at the end of January totalled 3,782. This is the worst total since 2005. In the last month 221 people lost their jobs. Although recently the construction industry has carried the brunt of the job losses in January it hit waiting staff at hotels and restaurants. It is now widely predicted that the total will soon reach 4,000.
NO PAY
The spokesperson of the Izquierda Unida in Ronda, Rafael Ruiz, has written to the mayor asking that the councillors overseeing the municipal cleaning company should receive no remuneration at this time of crisis. He is also seeking a reduction between 10 and 50 per cent in the pay and expenses of councillors in the government team to reduce the town hall expenditure.
The spokesperson of the Izquierda Unida in Ronda, Rafael Ruiz, has written to the mayor asking that the councillors overseeing the municipal cleaning company should receive no remuneration at this time of crisis. He is also seeking a reduction between 10 and 50 per cent in the pay and expenses of councillors in the government team to reduce the town hall expenditure.
BIG MONEY
Cuevas del Becerro’s mayor called an emergency council meeting to inform local people of the amounts alleged to have been misappropriated by the municipal accountant. Joaquín Esquina said the total could be over 340,000 euros which amounts to ten per cent of the town hall’s annual budget. The majority of the money is said to have been taken in the last three months.
Cuevas del Becerro’s mayor called an emergency council meeting to inform local people of the amounts alleged to have been misappropriated by the municipal accountant. Joaquín Esquina said the total could be over 340,000 euros which amounts to ten per cent of the town hall’s annual budget. The majority of the money is said to have been taken in the last three months.
TOURISM PLAN
Ronda’s councillor for tourism, Isabel Aguilera, has told a press conference of measures in the tourism action plan for 2009. A key priority is to increase the number of exhibitions, conferences and events using the town of the Tajo as a venue. Money will also be spent on improving the infrastructure with the road to Albacara and the Baños Arabes receiving major investment.
Ronda’s councillor for tourism, Isabel Aguilera, has told a press conference of measures in the tourism action plan for 2009. A key priority is to increase the number of exhibitions, conferences and events using the town of the Tajo as a venue. Money will also be spent on improving the infrastructure with the road to Albacara and the Baños Arabes receiving major investment.
ROAD INVESTMENT
Málaga province is spending over 3.1 million euros on work projects in the Serranía de Ronda in 2009 largely on road improvements. The municipalities to benefit include Algatocín, Alpandeire, Arriate, Atajate, Benadalid, Benalauría, Benaoján, Benarrabá, Cartajima, Cortes de la Frontera, El Burgo, Faraján, Gaucín, Genalguacil, Jimera de Libar, Jubrique, Júzcar, Montejaque, Parauta, Pujerra, Ronda and Yunquera as well as Serrato and Montecorto.
Málaga province is spending over 3.1 million euros on work projects in the Serranía de Ronda in 2009 largely on road improvements. The municipalities to benefit include Algatocín, Alpandeire, Arriate, Atajate, Benadalid, Benalauría, Benaoján, Benarrabá, Cartajima, Cortes de la Frontera, El Burgo, Faraján, Gaucín, Genalguacil, Jimera de Libar, Jubrique, Júzcar, Montejaque, Parauta, Pujerra, Ronda and Yunquera as well as Serrato and Montecorto.
