los cristianos port expansion protest

Los Cristianos protests: residents fight port expansion

Unity across the community

The platform in defence of Los Cristianos will take to the streets this Sunday to protest against the expansion of the coastal town’s port. The group brings together around ten different associations, ranging from local businesses to cultural and social groups, and even the area’s fishermen. All are opposed to the port infrastructure’s extension for two main reasons: the impact on traffic and, just as importantly, the effect on the beach – the town’s primary tourist attraction.

Hoping for a big turnout

The platform’s president, Jorge Bello, is cautious about the expected turnout but is hoping for around 800 people. “So many people have told us they’re coming that we think we could reach 1,500,” he says. “We want this to be a civic event, entirely democratic and completely apolitical. We’re inviting whole families,” he adds.

Fairness for the western islands

Bello explains that sorting out the traffic problems is crucial for platform members, but this must be done with the understanding that “the people of La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro have just as much right to good transport links, quality of life and everything other Canary Islanders have. It’s essential for them and their development,” he notes. At the same time, he insists that “there are solutions to the traffic issue that don’t have to affect us. Besides, we’ve been dragging this problem around for 30 years and it needs to be solved now, not in 20 years’ time,” he argues.

Simple solutions for a long-standing problem

The neighbourhood platform’s proposal is to stagger ferry timetables and move freight away from the Los Cristianos dock. “Our suggestions are straightforward and could be put in place immediately,” he maintains. Bello points out that the ports of Granadilla de Abona and Santa Cruz de Tenerife could handle the freight traffic currently arriving in the southern town. “Both ports are already built, so no further investment is needed. I’m not saying it could happen the day after tomorrow, but it could be put into practice within a few months,” he estimates.

Political backing and next steps

The group’s suggestions have already been unanimously backed by Arona Town Hall, “which put aside its political differences to support us. Now we want to extend this support to the other town halls in the south, because what happens in Los Cristianos affects everyone. After that, we’ll move on to the Cabildo, the Canary Islands Government and the Port Authority,” he announces.

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