Benalmádena’s beaches will be at the centre of 10 key improvement projects, costing 1.5 million euros, according to plans unveiled last week by the Town Hall. The series of works, being funded by the Consortium for Development and Tourism on the Western Costa del Sol Western (‘Plan Qualificada’) and the central Government’s Modernisation Fund for Established Tourist Destinations (‘FOMIT’) will focus on environmental improvements and accessibility. “The projects will allow Benalmádena’s beaches to be at their very best,” said Rafael Obrero, Councillor for Beaches.

Amongst the ventures is the extension of the Paseo Marítimo’s “traditional-looking” street lighting up to the Los Maites buildings; and refurbishing the promenade at Torrequebrada which, according to the councillor, “has been in a sorry state of repair for several years now.”

Torrequebrada resident, Fiona Gillam, welcomes the move. “I have felt quite unsafe walking along the Paseo in this area in the evening. It’s very dark and isolated, and it looks shabby in comparison to the rest of the promenade,” she says. “It’s about time they did something, especially as there are many big hotels here – at the moment it doesn’t give tourists the best impression.”

Other projects include the installation of public toilets, a First Aid point and store-room at the Bil Bil Castle; and sections of beaches of Benalmadena will take a significant leap forward in terms of quality,” said Obrero. He added the Town Hall prioritised the works as “The beaches are the main tourist attraction and economic engine in Benalmádena.

Source: Sur in English January 14th to 20th 2011 author George Prior

Advertisement