By David Eade – Costa del Sol News
Ecologistas en Acción in the Serranía de Ronda have lodged a number of objections against the project to construct an interpretation centre at Acinipo – the ruins of the original Roman town of Ronda.
They have made it clear they are not against the historic site having such a centre but they believe it should be away from the impressive ruins. The ecologists argue that the proposed location would have a negative visual impact and it should be placed outside of the monument’s perimeter.
Ronda town hall and the regional government’s culture ministry signed a collaboration agreement in 2007 to carry out excavations at Acinipo amongst them the recovery of the Roman baths and theatre which date back to the third century AD. The heritage site is rated as one of the most important in Málaga province.
The ecologists consider the installation of the centre inside the ruins is not acceptable and are campaigning for it to be moved. The building, of which part would be below ground, has a budget of 900,000 euros and would cover 730 square metres. It would include a reception area, exhibition hall and visitors’ centre.
The construction of the complex is envisaged as the final part of the 2007 agreement. Over the last year security measures at the historic site have had to be improved with night patrols as there have been a number of robberies of artefacts.
Acinipo is thought to have been an important Roman town judging by the numerous historic references at the time and the inscriptions found to major Gods and personalities of the epoch.
UNION SAYS SERRANÍA RAIL SERVICE IS UNDER ATTACK
Just weeks ago the Partido Andalucista warned that villages in the Serranía de Ronda would be left without bus services once the regional government withdrew its subventions.
Now the SFF-CGT union says that the rail service in Málaga province is under attack from Renfe after it made changes to its timetable. This is because the regional train that leaves Málaga at 7.45 will no longer connect with the Granada to Algeciras train.
The loss of this connection will insists the union leave over 100,000 people in the municipalities of the Serranía and the Valle del Genal without this service and it could endanger the viability of many of the stations along the route.
Not only is Renfe in the firing line but also the ministry of public works which is also accused of attacking the rail connections between the Ronda region and the Campo de Gibraltar. This the union insists will have a negative impact on tourism as well as affecting the access of residents to places of work, medical centres and leisure facilities.
The SFF-CGT says the populations of Campillos, Almargen, Teba, Ronda, Benaoján, Jimera de Libar, Cortés de la Frontera, Gaucín, Jimena de la Frontera, San Roque and Algeciras will all feel the effects unless the decision is reversed.
QUICKER TRAINS
Renfe has carried out a series of improvements to the Algeciras - Ronda - Madrid track that will see trains cover the journey between Ronda and the capital in less than four hours. Trains will leave Algeciras at 8.45 (14.05) and 15.05 (20.25) and Madrid at 8.40 (13.46) and 15.05 (20.15). Trains between Ronda and Algeciras are quicker taking one hour 25 minutes.
RESERVE FUNDS
The new reserve of the biosphere in the Sierra de las Nieves is to receive 1.4 million euros for its conservation – part of the seven million euros allocation by the regional government’s environment ministry. A large part of the spend will go to municipalities that take in the reserves where the funds will be used to promote sustained development to protect the areas.
FOUND CAPTURED
Ronda’s delegate for security, Rafael Lara, has been giving information about the four people arrested on the street on December 6 who were seeking donations for an association with which they had no link. It has since emerged that one of those detained was subjected to two find and capture warrants issued by the courts. Lara warned residents to look out for scams.
GOOD GRIEF
A story from El Burgo which beggars belief. A 37-year-old man has been arrested by the Guardia Civil for stealing a chainsaw plus other items of agricultural equipment from a neighbour’s finca by forcing the property’s door. Officers received a tip off from locals and found the items in his possession. At the time of the robbery the deceased neighbour was being buried.
MORTUARY PROTEST
PSOE is leading the protests in Benaoján over the location of a new mortuary in the village. The site is adjacent to a school, a nursery, the football pitch and swimming pool. The socialists have collected a petition with 300 signatures and will raise the matter at the next council meeting. The works have already started with 165,000 euros of job creation funds.
TOXIC ADVICE
The Serranía de Ronda health authority has produced a leaflet advising people who collect the wild mushrooms from the mountains on which are safe to eat. At this time of year this activity is very popular yet many mushrooms are toxic whilst others are simply deadly with no known medical cure. Therefore knowing what mushrooms are edible is a life and death matter.
JOB TRAINING
The 20 municipalities of the Genal – Guardiaro – Serranía consortium of town halls which excludes Ronda have decided to create a new employment training workshop. Sixty people will benefit from the scheme that is being backed with 800,000 euros. Montecorto, Jimera de Líbar, Montejaque, Gaucín, Benarrabá and Atajate are amongst the villages being helped with schemes on renewable energy and national park vigilance.
SOCIAL WELFARE
The president of the Catholic Church aid agency Cáritas in Ronda and the Serranía, Enriqueta Carrillo, has reported on the organisation’s activity up to November. Over 131,000 euros has been given in aid, of which 52,000 euros went on food – a 20 per cent increase over last year. Another 25,000 euros went towards paying rents and deposits plus 4,700 on water and electricity.
