Hi, Ed
Ref: Salobreña
As and ex pat living in the Old Town in Salobreña and one, who, in the UK was Chair of our local Parish Council, I take a great interest in what goes on around me.
Salobreña far from being the once attractive town to visit for tourists – its main and maybe only source of income – seems to have degenerated into a town that is fast losing its spirit.
It is well known that a long programme of renovations has taken place at the main attraction; i.e., The Castillo. But it is an expensive project that has ground to a halt.
In August the last workmen disappeared from the site. Equipment is still on site and the ghastly crane still haunts our skyline together with all the ancillary kit up at Paseo de las Flores.
This area, Paseo de las Flores, was once the jewel in the Salobreña crown, but now has fallen into an overgrown mess, which for months has had no maintenance. Instead of well tended flower beds and neatly cut hedges, we have this overgrown mess!
I spoke to our Alcalde in October and she assured me the works would be finished “soon” at the castle, once a new cover had been delivered to protect the new found archaeological finds.
This was to be delivered “any day now, I think this week.” Since then the silence has been deafening!
The town itself now adorns itself in graffiti and dog mess; the latest craze by our graffiti artists is penises everywhere… not a good welcome for our tourists.
Yes, the street cleaners do their best and a machine sometimes washes the streets in the town.
There is little or nothing for youngsters to do and some of the older ones have told me they would love to have a voice on the council – remember it was they who pointed out to the council that the proposed temporary bus station was to be located in a totally unsuitable place, next to the school playgrounds and adjacent to the town Catering School. Not good, they pointed out, with acrid diesel fumes. It sometimes takes young people to come up with the right answers!
Sorry for the rant but maybe through your excellent paper an article can be written pointing out how Salobreña has fallen from grace, somewhat! It may stir the council into action or at least give us an update as to what is happening… or not, as the case may be.
Kind regards
Mike Warrington Salobreña.
(Reader’s Letter: Salobrena, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)