Costa Blanca

Alicante goes on the offensive against an illegal street market

Residents of Colonia Requena have grown tired of the illegal street market that has been hosted every afternoon on Calle Cuarzo for more than two years. Around 5 p.m., sheets and blankets begin to spread throughout the pedestrian zone, along with slippers, cleaning supplies, clothing, toys, and everything else that can be bought or sold. Of course, there is no permit or traceability for the product.

The problem is not new, according to locals, who explain that there were only a few of these kiosks at first, but more are now joining. According to local complaints, the market not only violates the law, but it also creates an unsafe environment in one of the neighbourhoods with the highest risk of social exclusion. In fact, these stalls are directly adjacent to one of the urban enclave’s sports fields, where dozens of children train every day.

According to them, this illicit activity is commonly reported, and police frequently arrive to break up the market. However, once they leave the street, the stalls quickly return. In reality, the recently dead Antonio Colomina of the neighbourhood association had already condemned this behaviour and collaborated extensively with the authorities to put an end to it.

Residents of Colonia Requena are concerned about not just the illegality of selling goods of unknown origin, but also the likelihood that this place will be utilised to sell additional narcotics. This is why they are concerned it will become a hotspot in the neighbourhood.

Not only that, but when the stalls are taken, the space is left dusty and littered, rendering it almost worthless for any other purpose until they are restored in the same location the next day.

The police confirm that they take regular action, but they are still fighting to abolish this behaviour. Residents, for their part, are advocating for stronger action. They want that they not only remove vendor stalls, but also alert customers that they may be contributing to punishable criminal activity.

In September 2023, the Alicante municipal plenary session passed an institutional declaration that included the abolition of this market. Vox initiated the initiative, which was passed with the PP’s backing.

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Related Topics:Alicante Children Environment Illegal Local Market Police Social Train

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Costa Blanca

Benidorm joins the agreement for the inspection of tourist apartments

The inclusion of the Generalitat (Catalan Government) in the agreement permitting inspections of tourist accommodations and the enforcement of sanctions in the event that any irregularities are found was accepted by the Benidorm City Council plenary session yesterday, Monday 31st March.

The PSPV-PSOE (Socialist Party) abstained, claiming that the agreement constitutes “a dereliction of duty by the Generalitat” and that Benidorm City Council “does not have sufficient resources” to adequately carry out the inspection tasks. In its regular plenary session for the month of March, the council approved this point with the votes of 16 local government councillors from the PP and one Vox councillor.

The council will, however, bolster the Local Police force by creating 20 new jobs, which means that “there will be more material and personnel resources,” according to government spokesperson Lourdes Caselles.

In addition, Caselles claims that “there have already been several meetings with experts from the regional ministry and the city councils” who have shown interest in making sure that “this delegation can be implemented as quickly as possible.” One such meeting was with the Benidorm delegation.

Power delegation

After taking on the duties, Benidorm agrees to create a report every three months detailing the complaints that have been made, the open files and how they have been resolved, and any penalties that have been applied.

The municipal administration stated that the Architecture Department “is working on an ordinance to regulate tourist housing and to provide security and strengthen this type of tourist accommodation, provided that regulations are followed.”

As a result, Benidorm is among the first cities in the community to take over the delegation of authority and start conducting inspections.

The agreement for the financing of improvements and replacement of the wastewater treatment and sanitation facilities was also unanimously approved by the local council at its plenary session. This would handle the current Benidorm WWTP’s restoration needs and fix the structural and electrical installation flaws in the wastewater pumping stations, requiring an investment of €14,520,000.

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Costa Blanca

Alicante Car Show returns this weekend

This weekend, Alicante will host the biggest car show in the province. The 21st edition of Sobre 2 ruedas and the 53rd edition of Firauto, two crucial events in the Alicante automobile industry, will take place at IFA-Fira Alacante from April 4th–6th.

The centre will be packed with a diverse range of cars and motorcycles throughout the weekend. It is anticipated that around 1,000 motorcycles and 2,500 new and used vehicles will take part in the event, which will bring together about 30 motorcycle manufacturers and 37 car brands.

There will also be around 140 exhibitors, including dealers, accessory manufacturers, and providers of specialised mobility services. Visitors to the exhibition will have the opportunity to learn about the most recent advancements in the industry, ranging from high-powered motorcycles with specialised equipment to electric and hybrid cars. Over the course of the three-day event, visitors can also take advantage of special offers and discounts.

During the fair, Firauto and Sobre 2 ruedas tickets will be available for seven euros at the box office. Additionally, guests who buy tickets online up until April 3rd will save four euros. The IFA-Fira Alacante website https://firalacant.com/firauto-s2r/ and the event’s social media accounts offer attendees a two-euro discount coupon as well. The public can visit the fair at any time between 10:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.

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Costa Blanca

Elche’s PP and Vox approve a 9% water bill rise

Together, the Popular Party and Vox have authorised a 9% increase in water bills, which would cost Elche residents about 18 euros more annually. Juan de Dios Navarro, the water councillor, stressed that this pricing increase will include a reduction for long-term unemployed people, vulnerable people, large families, seniors, and those who are permanently incapacitated. Additionally, the change will restore the €4.3 million anti-flood investment plan, build a storm tank to collect rainwater in the San Antón ravine, establish a sewer fund, clean drains, and supply water to unserved districts like Llano de San Gosé, Algoda, Matola, and Pusol, Navarro stressed.

Héctor Díez, a spokesman for the Socialist Party, denounced the hike in water bills as a “fiscal blow.” He further bemoaned the fact that in addition to this increase, the municipal authorities had commissioned a €75,000 sculpture to mark the 25th anniversary of Aigües d’Elx.

Additionally, Díez claimed that this year’s Atirriadas plan had only been allocated €250,000. Díez added that the local council has authorised a waste tax hike of up to 33% this year in addition to the increase in water bills.