Here’s the follow up on the roadworks in Lanjarón. As I promised, I went to find more info about it and I managed to get an interview with the works foreman, Nicolas Doce. This is what he told me:
The roadworks on the main street with the object of improving the sewage and rain drainage, which is financed by European Funds, is providing work for 15 workmen from the town. The construction company, which is based in Alicante, was awarded the contract after presenting the winning bid.
At first it was hoped to have the job completed by the end of December, but owing to the badly deteriorated infrastructure that has been unearthed – which in some places were 300 years old – and the project provided by the Town Hall, which were not very ‘precise’ owing to the fact that nobody knew what they were going to find down there, the project is now expected to last until the end of the coming February. This is inconvenient for everybody, as the locals are not going to be able to enjoy the relaxed low season, which is normal at this time of year in Lanjarón.
Sr. Doce admits that the roadworks are going to cause a far more amount of inconvenience but emphasises the fact that the work being carried out needs to be done urgently. The town is full of elderly residents and visitors that visit the spas on a daily basis and this journey requires much more effort: instead of being able to visit the balnearios in light footwear (sandals), they have to wear hiking boots!
Furthermore, the people of Lanjarón are worried about the negative effect that having the main street up will have on the town economy during the festive period. Summing up, everybody will be much happier when it is all over.