By David Eade – Costa del Sol News
This week in the Andalucía parliament the opposition Partido Popular will accuse the socialist administration of having forgotten the proposed toll road link between Ronda and San Pedro de Alcántara.
This is a hot potato between the two parties as it was in November 2007, before the last regional government elections, that PSOE made the promise. At the time the PP accused them of electioneering and to date have been proved right as no action has been taken on the project.
In the original announcement the road which would slash travel times between the coast and the town of the Tajo would have been completed by 2012. The ministry of public works says the road is awaiting a viability study and an environmental report but those have been outstanding for a long time.
The Andaluz PP MP, Francisco Oblaré, has blasted the administration saying the road was never a priority for the regional government or for PSOE in Málaga. He added that nothing is known about the road and there is no mention of it in the PDIA or POTA Andalucía development plans.
The current road between Ronda and San Pedro is one of the major black spots in the province’s road system. It is a dangerous, curving road, largely single lane and the journey takes around 55 minutes. The straight, four lane, toll motorway would have cut travel time by half and be much safer.
There have also been suggestions that the toll road would not be proceeded with because of the cost and instead work would be carried out on widening the existing road and cutting off some of its more treacherous bends. This is the option that is promoted by ecologists who strongly oppose the toll road.
CEMETERY SMASHED BY GIANT ROCKWork has been underway at the cemetery in Benaoján where a major rock fall during the heavy rains of September 17 sent a two tonne boulder smashing in to the cemetery.
As a result many of the tombs were destroyed by the impact. Now the town hall has started work on removing the remains of the deceased from the 18 niches that were badly damaged. An inspection of the other 39 tombs in the same section has shown they have not suffered any harm.
The coffins from the affected graves have been moved and placed in new niches in the cemetery. Family members of the deceased were present for what was in effect a second interment. Some of the coffins had been bricked up over 35 years ago.
Francisca Moreno supervised the moving of her grandmother’s remains and said with a resign air: “At least we now know they are resting in a more stable zone in the cemetery.”
The massive rock rolled down the hill and crossed a road that is frequently used by cars mercifully without causing any damage or injury. A second rock that broke loose is hanging over a carpentry shop having stopped short in a field. Both Benaoján and its neighbouring village of Montejaque are well used to the danger of these loose rocks on the mountains above them.
KEN LOACH TO BE HONOURED AT RONDA’S FILM FESTIVAL
The veteran British film director, Ken Loach, is to be honoured at Ronda’s first film festival that will be held from November 27 to December 4.
The ‘Festival de Cine Político’ will feature several of Loach’s films. It is also intended that this director of world renown will be present to give a commentary on his works.
The Ronda festival was presented by its director, Piluca Baquero, at the recent international film festival in San Sebastián. She told the media that Loach would be presented with the first “Goyesca de Honor” for his life’s work. In addition “Route Irish”, Loach’s latest film, will be shown at the festival.
Roach who is in his mid-70s is an ideal choice for a “political” film festival as he is best known for his social realist directing style and for his socialist beliefs. He made his name dealing with social issues including homelessness with ‘Cathy Come Home” and labour rights with “Riff-Raff”.
EROSKI MOVE
At an ordinary council meeting on Friday Ronda passed an emergency motion to approve the modifications to the local development plan (PGOU). This will allow the Eroski supermarket group to proceed with its largest commercial centre in Andalucía on the site of the former fair ground and soccer stadium. The use has to change to urban and commercial before the development can proceed.
At an ordinary council meeting on Friday Ronda passed an emergency motion to approve the modifications to the local development plan (PGOU). This will allow the Eroski supermarket group to proceed with its largest commercial centre in Andalucía on the site of the former fair ground and soccer stadium. The use has to change to urban and commercial before the development can proceed.
KNIFE ROBBERY
The National Police are investigating a robbery at the Supersol supermarket on Ronda’s industrial estate. At 21.30 as the doors were being closed a masked man armed with a knife threatened staff and made off with around 600 euros. On the same night there were three other break-ins on business premises the estate but police say they were not linked to the robbery.
The National Police are investigating a robbery at the Supersol supermarket on Ronda’s industrial estate. At 21.30 as the doors were being closed a masked man armed with a knife threatened staff and made off with around 600 euros. On the same night there were three other break-ins on business premises the estate but police say they were not linked to the robbery.
ANTI CRISIS
The central and Andalucía governments have spent 22 million euros in the Serranía de Ronda on measures aimed to beat the economic crisis generating 745 jobs in the region. On visits to Montejaque and Benaoján the PSOE’s Málaga secretary general, Miguel Ángel Heredia, said the cash was aimed at development, employment and economic diversification adding bringing dynamism to rural areas was a priority.
The central and Andalucía governments have spent 22 million euros in the Serranía de Ronda on measures aimed to beat the economic crisis generating 745 jobs in the region. On visits to Montejaque and Benaoján the PSOE’s Málaga secretary general, Miguel Ángel Heredia, said the cash was aimed at development, employment and economic diversification adding bringing dynamism to rural areas was a priority.
LIGHTING UP
The residents of the Arenal 2000 urbanisation in Ronda have been without street lighting for five months because of the defective installation on the much troubled estate. The town hall had pressed Arenal 2000 but nothing was done. Now the municipality proposes doing the work and other major works using funding from the two million euros deposit lodged as security by the company.
The residents of the Arenal 2000 urbanisation in Ronda have been without street lighting for five months because of the defective installation on the much troubled estate. The town hall had pressed Arenal 2000 but nothing was done. Now the municipality proposes doing the work and other major works using funding from the two million euros deposit lodged as security by the company.
CORK MONEY
The municipalities of Ronda and Cortes de la Frontera have taken in over 1.5 million euros from the sale of the cork harvest from their mountain regions. Ronda harvested 241,325 kilos that has been sold to a company in Gerona. Cortes earned the largest amount, nearly two thirds of the total but sold its cork for 1.35 euros a kilo compared with 1.80.
The municipalities of Ronda and Cortes de la Frontera have taken in over 1.5 million euros from the sale of the cork harvest from their mountain regions. Ronda harvested 241,325 kilos that has been sold to a company in Gerona. Cortes earned the largest amount, nearly two thirds of the total but sold its cork for 1.35 euros a kilo compared with 1.80.
SERIOUS OFFENCE
The Spanish data protection agency says it views the offence committed by Ronda town hall as “serious” and believes it should be sanctioned. The local police are alleged to have given a magazine edited by the mayor personal information on the Partido Popular Nuevas Generaciones president, Juan Ignacio Vega, which was then published. The matter has also been raised in the Ronda court.
The Spanish data protection agency says it views the offence committed by Ronda town hall as “serious” and believes it should be sanctioned. The local police are alleged to have given a magazine edited by the mayor personal information on the Partido Popular Nuevas Generaciones president, Juan Ignacio Vega, which was then published. The matter has also been raised in the Ronda court.
90 YEARS
On the parade ground at the Spanish Legion’s General Gabeiras barracks in Ronda a ceremony was held on Saturday to commemorate the 90 th anniversary of the elite army regiment. The event was presided over by the second in command of Spain’s land forces who gave out medals. The Legion has also marched through Ronda and gave a concert at the municipal theatre.
On the parade ground at the Spanish Legion’s General Gabeiras barracks in Ronda a ceremony was held on Saturday to commemorate the 90 th anniversary of the elite army regiment. The event was presided over by the second in command of Spain’s land forces who gave out medals. The Legion has also marched through Ronda and gave a concert at the municipal theatre.
