DAVID CAMERON TO HOLIDAY IN SERRANÍABy David Eade - Costa del Sol News
Following the excitement that the US President’s wife, Michelle Obama, would be holidaying on the Costa del Sol with one of her daughters comes the news that the British Prime Minister will be in the Ronda area.
David Cameron and his wife Samantha are no strangers to the Serranía de Ronda having visited the area on past occasions. Just where they are staying and what they’ll be doing has not been revealed but security will be heightened in the area to protect him and his family.
Cameron’s past visits to the area went largely unreported by the Spanish media as he was then only the leader of the opposition. One place he was seen was at the Bar Alliolli in Estación de Jimera de Libar.
The British owner Paul Darwent said Cameron had been out walking with his wife and called in for a cold drink and a coffee. He has invited the Prime Minister to the Fiesta de la Cerveza in October but Cameron politely declined because of official duties.
As Samantha Cameron is now heavily pregnant and given the high summer temperatures walking in the sun is an unlikely past time on this trip. It is rumoured that they will be staying with friends in the Gaucín area and are also expected to visit Ronda where they have dined previously at its internationally famous Tragabuches restaurant.
Cameron’s visit means that Britain’s Prime Minister and his deputy will both be in Spain this summer on vacation. Liberal leader Nick Clegg is married to a Spaniard and they will holiday with their family in Castilla y León.
ROAD REPAIRS
The minor road network in the Serranía de Ronda was badly damaged in the winter rains and floods with many still impassable. Málaga province has assigned 14.4 million euros in funding for their repair, the largest grant ever given. The work will start shortly and take 12 months to complete. Some 150 kms of the 176 kms or rural roads will be upgraded.
COMING DOWN
The first demolition of an illegal construction in the protected Hoya del Tajo in Ronda is underway after orders by the town hall. The process was started two years ago by the municipal inspector of works and the building has to be removed by the owner. It is the first of 22 scheduled demolitions involving constructions on protected land or in non-urban zones.
INGLESES SAVED
Ronda’s famous Paseo de los Ingleses has badly fallen into disrepair and has been in an abandoned state for years. Now the walkway running from the Alameda to the Hotel Reina Victoria along the cornice of the Tajo is benefiting from a 273,000 euros renovation from funds for tourism. The footpath, balconies, walls and gardens are all being replaced and new lighting installed.
NURSERY SCHOOL
Ronda is to build a municipal nursery school on El Fuerte industrial estate close to the new youth hostel. The regional government has given a subvention of 600,000 euros for the construction and another 300,000 is needed for equipment. The nursery will cater for 0 – three year olds, be completed in 18 months, have a capacity for 90 children and create 15 jobs.
UNSAFE SKATING
The Partido Andalucista has complained over the poor state of Ronda’s Skating Park which it insists is unsafe for users. It says the surface is cracked, damaged and unlevel which has caused accidents although as of yet nothing too serious. The PA has started a petition amongst users to demand town hall action in a sport which has a growing number of followers.
MORE BIKES
Francisco González, who speaks on transport for the Partido Andalucista in Ronda, has welcomed the new bike rental scheme but has criticised that there are only stands in the main tourist areas and not the Monjas, San Cristóbal, La Dehesa, Arenal or La Planilla residential areas. He has also called for the creation of bike lanes and an improved public transport system.
