Chamberí Residents Decry Council Inaction on Burnt Car, Neglected Plots
Chamberí residents in Santa Cruz de Tenerife are demanding the City Council remove a burnt-out car left for months and clean up neglected plots attracting pests and posing safety hazards.
People living in the Chamberí neighborhood of Santa Cruz de Tenerife say a burnt-out car has been left in their area for months. They claim the City Council hasn't removed it.
This problem, they explain, has been going on for a long time and is just one of several issues of urban decay in the neighborhood.
Residents describe this as "genuine institutional neglect." Marga, who lives in the neighborhood, even spoke about it on the Televisión Canaria program "Ponte al día."
The TV show displayed pictures of an abandoned plot in the neighborhood, covered in rubble and dirt. Marga stated this isn't the only one; she says several plots are in the same condition, attracting rats and cockroaches. This, she added, "is causing concern among residents."
On one plot, the dirt and debris spill onto the sidewalk, causing several people to slip, Marga explained.
To make matters worse, a school is located near one of these neglected plots, and many children walk past it every day. Residents are worried about the risk of accidents because of these unkempt areas.
"It's disgusting to have these plots like this, with so many rats and cockroaches that have even gotten into some of our homes," Marga said.
She explained that the single-story houses in the area make it easy for these pests to climb and move between homes. The rats are a major worry for residents.
Another big frustration for the neighborhood is what they call "the image of shame": a car that has been abandoned since last May. "Parts were taken from the vehicle until, a few months ago, it caught fire. It's been sitting there ever since, untouched," Marga repeated.
People living nearby are concerned the car is dangerous, especially for children who might cut themselves or get hurt if they go near the burnt wreckage. They also suspect it might be a stolen car because no one has claimed it since it was left there.
"When it burned, we thought it would be removed within days, but we were wrong. It's been three months," said Marga, who is calling for urgent action to remove the car and clean up the neglected plots in the neighborhood.