News from Andalucia, and the Costa del Sol
In association with
NOVEMBER 30th - DECEMBER 6th
SIERRA NEVADA'S SUCCESSFUL START
The Sierra Nevada Ski Station started this winter's season early by opening on November 25, becoming the first ski centre in Spain to open this season. Skiers had 12 kilometres of piste to choose from and more than 3,500 set out on the first day. Snow depth ranged between 20 and 80 centimetres on the mountain, but a rain shower cleared away snow from Pardollano.
A daylong ski pass this year costs 4,100 for adults. Nighttime skiing has been set this year for Saturday's between 19.00 and 21.30 at a cost of 1,000 pesetas. The centre is now preparing for what is traditionally the busiest time at the start of the season - the Puente de la Immaculada long weekend, which begins on December 6.
M4-409 GREEN LIGHT
The Association of Local Town Halls has approved plan for the first phase of upgrading the M4-409 into a dual carriageway. The Málaga Diputación has approved funding for the main link between Mijas and Fuengirola. Also, the Mayor of Mijas, Agustin Moreno, has asked the Ministry of Works for a pedestrian footbridge on the N-340 at the Molino de Viento industrial estate.
ENVIRONMENTAL QUARRY
The works in reclaiming the Cantera del Barrio in Mijas as an environmental centre are almost complete. Due to the recent good weather the final phase of the project should be finished in one month. A planting programme, including herbaceous plants, Mediterranean bushes and pines, is also under way.
NEW GREEN LOOK FOR SAN PEDRO
The south area of San Pedro de Alcántara on Avenida del Mediterránea is to have a tree park. The Town Hall has announced that over 140 different species of plants and trees have been acquired for the Avenida, which will include black poplars, bananas, paraisos and jacarandas.
WE'RE TALKING RUBBISH
Benalmádena is to be the first local authority to apply the new Euro rules on recycling non-organic waste. The new legislation applies to municipalities of over 5,000 people. The Town Hall is installing 250 containers in various locations. They can each hold 120 litres of various waste items. Green containers are for glass, blue for paper waste and yellow for light metal products, including cans.
THREE NEW WASTE PLANTS
The Association of Town Halls has announced it intends to operate three waste treatment plants, situated in Mijas, Marbella and Estepona. Mijas will cater for it's own rubbish plus that of Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola. Marbella will look after Benahavis, Istán and Ojén. The Estepona plant will also serve Casares and Manilva.
MONUMENTAL ROW ALMOST OVER
Regional government has sent the keys of the restored Málaga Alcazaba to the city council this week, together with all documentation needed for the connection of electricity, water and telephone services. Two months ago, Málaga city council refused to accept the keys, claiming that the restoration project, which has cost 1,000 million pesetas, was not finished satisfactorily.
The ancient site has long been the subject of economic disputes between regional government and PP controlled Málaga. City Councillor for Culture, Ana Maria Rico, said the council would now spend what was needed to complete the restoration and that council technicians would start on this immediately - in an effort to get the site open to the public as soon as possible.
LA LINEA BUNKERED
The border town of La Linea will create a programme of guides for visitors wishing to go over the town's historic military bunkers. Although not yet open to the public, the Town Hall has already shown round a group of British visitors, who were on a visit to Gibraltar to see the Siege Tunnel and requested to see La Linea's bunkers too.
LOVERS MONUMENTAL LEAP
Regional government has announced its intention to get the "Peña de los Enamorados" at Antequera declared as a National Monument. The rocky outcrop, which rises out of the vega close to the town and has the from of a face lying on its side, was declared by IU Deputy Antonio Romero to hold "singular beauty". It takes its name from the legend that an Arab princess and her Christian convict lover chose to jump off the rock together rather than be separated by advancing Arab troops.