It is now certain that the Paseo Marítimo and other areas will have blue-zone parking restrictions, but what has yet to be agreed upon are timetables and areas.
Like its coastal neighbours, Salobreña’s summer population is several times its normal figure, which not only means an injection of cash into the town’s economy, but also a series of extra costs linked to providing extra services. These extra costs are covered by local taxes levied upon the residents yet the influx is a lifeline for the struggling business sector.
The Mayor believes that it is unfair that the locals have to foot the cost of the extra summer services: “It’s not fair that these costs fall solely upon the pockets of the Salobreñeros, so we have to take measures to charge for the upkeep of the beaches that are enjoyed not only by the locals but also by summer holiday makers,” explained Mayor Gonzalo Fernández Pulido.
With this reasoning he announced the blue zones would be installed during the summer on the Paseo Marítimo, Avenida del Mediterráneo and Avenida de Andalucía, to both control traffic and raise funds for cleaning, maintenance and safety costs.
With this intention firmly in mind, the Mayor has been having meetings with the business associations, hoteliers and neighbourhood associations to beat out an agreement upon how these blue zones will be regulated.
The Mayor, however, wanted to make it clear that should this go ahead then there will be special rates for locals.
Editorial Comment: Well at least the Mayor of Salobreña has had the honesty to say it’s all about raising funds, unlike other mayors who maintain that it is more about having rotational parking. The Mayor of Almuñécar, and her predecessor, claimed that it was to stop people parking up their car, putting a cover over it and leaving it a month, but let’s be honest, where are the Spaniards that can afford to go on holiday for a month anymore?
If that were the prime reason, it would just as easy to issue a bylaw saying that any car found under those conditions would be towed away.
(News: Salobreña, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)