What is the most scorching location in Benidorm? The inquiry may appear trivial; however, it can assist us in comprehending the city’s response to the “heat island effect.” And that is the objective of the City Council: to ascertain the temperature of various busy or well-known areas of the municipality in order to make future decisions and implement measures to mitigate the impact on residents and travellers.

To this end, the Department of Public Space is conducting a study in collaboration with the University of Valencia to comprehend the impact of this influence. The objective is to determine the areas or locations in the municipality that are impacted by this effect by utilising scientific and research data. This will enable the implementation of decisions and measures to mitigate the effect and enhance the climate comfort of the population.

Additionally, how? Initially, 20 sensors (thermometers) have been deployed in a variety of locations throughout the municipality, including seafront promenades, parks, educational areas, and busy spaces with high volumes of residents and tourists. For more than one month, they have been gathering data. In other words, they collect temperature data at specific locations, resulting in a “mesh” of detailed information, as elucidated by Francis Muñoz, the councillor for the region, and Adrián Ferrandis, a researcher at the University of Valencia.

The data is currently undergoing analysis, following the completion of the initial sampling. Ferrandis clarified that the provisional data obtained indicates that “there are significant differences of between two and three degrees Celsius in several areas,” despite the fact that it is still too early to draw conclusions. This is contingent upon the soil type and the degree of naturalisation in the region. In other words, whether the pavement is less heat-retaining or there are fewer or more trees. This, however, is only the initial phase; a subsequent measurement will be conducted in June.

Adrián Ferrandis further stated that the data collected will be compared “from one measurement to another to obtain a very rough understanding of the situation.” Lastly, the university will compile a report that will be submitted to the City Council, providing guidance on the decisions that should be made.

Benidorm has specific streets or avenues that offer a respite for residents and tourists while they are wandering through the streets in the full sun. This is particularly true if the streets are characterised by tall vegetation that provides shade. This is the case with Avenida del Mediterráneo, which, following a comprehensive renovation, is now adorned with substantial trees in the modernised area. Therefore, the temperature can fluctuate by as much as five degrees during the summer from this bustling street to a mere few metres from the Levante promenade, where the sun is at its most intense.

The City Council intends to verify each of these concerns with dependable data. Muñoz stated that the areas under investigation are meticulously examined; they are not determined arbitrarily or without consideration. The research will enable the formulation of decisions regarding the implementation of “measures such as the renaturalisation of spaces or the implementation of textile architecture,” including shade. The study’s ultimate objective is to “provide the city with an adequate amount of data to establish its priorities in accordance with the information it possesses in order to enhance the comfort of its citizens.”

The activity in this area is a component of Benidorm’s Climate Change Action Plan. The ultimate objective is to “improve and adapt the city to ensure that its spaces are more comfortable for people in terms of temperature.” It is imperative to have the most comprehensive data available to aid the City Council in its subsequent decision-making, the design of the actions to be taken, and the areas in which they will be implemented in order to accomplish this. “It is a scientific method that will ascertain the regions that are affected by the heat island effect, allowing us to reduce it through climate corridors or spaces,” Ferrandis continued.

The initiation of the procedure to award the Police Merit Cross with Red Badge to Local Police officers José Miguel Díaz García and Francisco Martínez Medina has been overwhelmingly approved by the Alicante City Council Plenary Session. This honour is granted in appreciation of their exceptional rescue and assistance efforts during a fire on Calle Padre Esplá in the Carolinas Altas neighbourhood.

The ground floor of a structure that was home to a kebab restaurant was affected by the fire that took place on November 29th, 2024. The fire produced a dense haze of smoke that engulfed the stairwell, enclosing two individuals, one of whom had limited mobility, on the second floor. In an intervention that was essential to the victims’ physical safety, both officers entered the building upon hearing pleas for help, overcoming the toxicity of the smoke and poor visibility. They were able to evacuate the victims.

The action necessitated medical attention from the SAMU (National Police Service) at the site for one of the officers. It was fortunate that he did not require hospitalisation. In a statement dated April 15th, 2025, the Local Police Headquarters commended the officers for their “professionalism, quick reaction, and courage.” The Chief Superintendent also issued an individual commendation to them.

Recently, Spain’s high-speed railways have experienced a significant transformation. The country’s railway network has been opened to private operators since market liberalisation in 2020, and the results have been dramatic: ticket prices have decreased, availability has increased, and rail is now surpassing air travel on certain critical routes.

For travellers, this new era entails an increase in the number of available seats, an improved value, and a decrease in the number of compelling reasons to fly.

Fares are reduced when markets are open.

Spain’s high-speed lines, which were previously dominated by the national operator Renfe, now offer various services as a result of the entrance of new players such as Ouigo from France and Iryo from Italy. With a combination of full-service and budget-friendly offerings, these newcomers have revolutionised the industry.

This shift has had an immediate and substantial effect on prices:

In comparison to pre-competition levels, the average fares on the Madrid–Barcelona route have decreased by as much as 40%.
Ouigo has provided tickets at a rate as low as €9. Additionally, it attracted well over two million passengers during its inaugural year in 2021.
The same competitive pressure has resulted in a 27.6% decrease in tariffs on the Madrid–Alicante line.
This reduction in costs has rendered high-speed rail a compelling alternative to domestic flights, not only in terms of price but also in terms of convenience.

Rail Revolution in Numbers

The percentage of travel between Madrid and Barcelona that is attributed to rail has increased from 59% in 2019 to 81.8%.
In response to the advent of new competition, Renfe’s own low-cost service, Avlo, has contributed to the expansion of the rail market as a whole.
In the most recent figures from the CNMC (Spain’s competition authority), Ouigo received the fewest customer complaints of all operators.
CNMC reports that nearly 90% of passengers use these services sporadically rather than on a regular basis. The affordability of high-speed rail is attracting a broader base of leisure travellers, rather than just business passengers, although the majority of travellers are still infrequent users of the service.

Renfe commences to address the demand

The increase in capacity has made rail cheaper and more accessible. Experts in rail travel assert that the competition has been long overdue.

“The competition from high-speed operators, including Ouigo and Iryo, has resulted in a significant increase in the number of seats available and a decrease in fares.” Trains were frequently overcrowded and prices were exorbitant prior to this. Renfe had been under-providing and over-pricing on routes such as Madrid–Barcelona, in my opinion.

The short scheduling windows of Renfe were previously one of the most frustrating aspects of booking train travel in Spain. Frequently, the publication of tickets just two weeks prior to travel restricted early-bird savings and forward planning.

Smith also mentioned that Spain has experienced an additional advantage. “For years, Renfe has been infamous for its tardiness in launching ticket sales, occasionally with as little as two weeks’ notice. Such behaviour is absurd.” This remains an issue on numerous Renfe routes; however, on routes where they now face competition, they have miraculously prolonged the booking horizon to numerous months.

Not without opposition

The new landscape has not been well received by all, despite the advantages it offers to passengers. Renfe is concerned that low-cost competitors are employing unsustainable models and receiving state support in their home countries. There are also broader concerns about whether aggressive price cuts can be sustainable without compromising quality or service.

However, passengers are currently exercising their right to vote by boarding the train.

An irreversible return to the rails?

Spain’s rail network is rapidly becoming a symbol of the advantages that liberalisation can provide consumers.

Trains are no longer the costly and rigid alternative. They have become increasingly popular among a broader variety of travellers, as they are a fast, affordable, and environmentally friendly method of travelling between major cities.