Anaga Locals to Block Road Over Tourism Traffic

Anaga Rural Park, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is struggling with a huge number of vehicles. This has led local residents and businesses to call for a public protest. They want to highlight the problems caused by what they see as uncontrolled tourism, which they say is harming their quality of life and the park's natural environment.

The protest is set for the 14th, from 11 AM to 1 PM, at a spot called Cruz del Carmen. During these hours, organizers plan to block the TF-12 road. They have already applied for the necessary permit from the Government Subdelegation in Tenerife, exercising their right to assemble.

Locals say they decided to step up their protests because of the constant traffic jams they face every day. They describe long queues that make it hard to get to and from their homes and businesses. They blame the endless arrival of thousands of visitors and tourist buses. These vehicles often park on road shoulders and in unauthorized areas, blocking roads and sometimes even preventing essential services like school buses or ambulances from passing.

Residents say they've been raising their concerns with local authorities, including the Cabildo de Tenerife and the city councils of Santa Cruz and La Laguna, for over two years. They are asking for traffic control measures and more police in the area, specifically from the Batán crossroads to Cruz del Carmen. They say they are escalating their demands because there have been no effective solutions and promises about controlling parking and crowds haven't been kept. They hold the Cabildo de Tenerife responsible for this lack of management.

The local community stresses the need for regulated tourism that respects the natural environment and local life. They have also made a protest video to highlight what they see as the worsening condition of the Rural Park and its beaches. They are urging authorities to act and protect this globally important ecological area.