ANGER OVER BY-PASS DELAYSBy David Eade – Costa del Sol News
Arriate has reacted with “indignation and disquiet” to the decision by the Andalucía ministry of public works to include its by-pass in the list of projects that are being put on hold because of the economic crisis.
The deputy mayor Salvador Cabrera said the town hall has not received any official notification of the decision but instead read about it in the press. The building of the by-pass has been a long term demand by local residents who have had to wait 15 years for work to start.
Arriate is on the main road from the province of Cádiz via Setenil to Ronda and all the heavy traffic has to travel through is narrow main street. The purpose of the by-pass was to take these heavy vehicles on a new direct route to and from Ronda.
Since the work started the progress on the construction of the by-pass has been rapid and it was due to be completed this autumn. Hence the decision to put on hold a project that was virtually finished has left the local residents and administration in disbelief.
Work on the road started in April 2009 with a budget of 5.3 million euros. The by-pass would connect the MA-7403 with the A-367 and would handle around 4,000 vehicles a day, the majority heavy lorries.
CASINO SCHOOL
The Círculo de Artistas, which owns the Casino - one of Ronda’s most famous buildings, has reached agreement with the small and medium sized business association to use the premises as a hotel school from the autumn. The school will occupy the first floor of the building including the former ballroom and an investment of 100,000 euros is being made in the project.
UNSTABLE MUNICIPALITY
Ronda’s PP has accused the governing PSOE of translating its own internal divisions in to the workings of the town hall. The socialists are under stress because of the integration of the former PA mayor and councillors. Recently the eighth councillor was removed from his post since the last election. PP spokesperson Marípaz Fernandez said mayor Antonio Marín was responsible for the chaos.
KIDS POISONED
Around 120 children staying at Las Delicias summer camp on El Burgo road in Ronda were taken to hospital at the beginning of last week all suffering from gastroenteritis. All had reported high fevers and upset stomachs. The first tests suggest they all had salmonella poisoning. Two of the children were admitted to Ronda’s hospital but all have now returned to their homes.
DOG DEATHS
Residents of the historic quarter of Ronda and the nearby San Francisco area are on alert as a high number of dogs and cats have died from poisoning. The town hall has placed poison in local squares and at monuments to kill rats but the councillor for health says he has received no such reports and doesn’t believe the eradication campaign is responsible.
RAIN DAMAGE
Many rural areas of Ronda such as Los Villalones still have roads in a bad state from the heavy winter rains. Last week they suffered another deluge with 45 litres falling in 25 minutes making it impossible to travel on many roads and lanes. Residents have asked Málaga province to urgently carry out the repair works it recently allocated three million euros to.
DANGEROUS ROAD
The mayor of Jimera de la Líbar, Maite Domínguez, has officially complained about the “highly dangerous” MA-8703 road that connects the village with Atajate. The road is five kilometres long and since the heavy winter rains has been in a perilous state. She says there have been an accident a day on the road and at least one serious crash a month.
WE’RE SWIMMING
The municipal swimming pool in Cuevas del Becerro is going to receive a 111,000 euros upgrade. The work has been financed by an investment plan drawn up by Málaga province. The scheme involves the reform and modification of the existing buildings which will now include a cafeteria restaurant adjacent to the pool. There will also be a treatment room and storage space.
