El Médano Residents Protest Urban Mobility Plan Amid Parking Disputes and Legal Concerns
Residents of El Médano are challenging the local government’s EU-funded urban mobility project, citing concerns over significant parking losses and the lack of formal regulations for new infrastructure.
Urban mobility in El Médano has become a major source of tension following a recent neighborhood council meeting in Granadilla de Abona. Nearly 150 residents attended, highlighting a clear divide between the local government’s plans and the community’s concerns over how public space is being reorganized.
The project, which includes a new bike lane, a low-emission zone, and the pedestrianization of the historic center, is funded by the European Union. Municipal officials, Councilwoman Adaisy Arias and Councilor Marcos Antonio Rodríguez, emphasized that the work must be completed on schedule to secure this funding, noting that the plan previously received unanimous support from the local council.
However, the project has sparked significant debate over the loss of parking. While the City Council claims 56 spaces have been removed, residents who conducted their own survey estimate the figure is closer to 200. To address this, the Council has proposed temporary solutions, such as modular parking, new spaces in El Cabezo, and the use of land currently reserved for a future senior center. Officials are also negotiating with the Cabildo of Tenerife to create park-and-ride facilities at the town’s entrance. Local business leader Mariela Casanova remains skeptical, noting that these are recurring promises that have yet to be fulfilled.
The dispute has now moved into the legal arena. Residents have raised concerns about the project’s legal standing, specifically pointing out that the bike lane is being built without a formal municipal ordinance to regulate it. The City Council is now attempting to address this through a public consultation, but some residents are considering legal action to force an official review of the project.
Adding to the uncertainty is the fact that the phases intended to connect the route to Montaña Pelada have not yet been awarded. With the municipal government determined to proceed despite local opposition, the debate over the future of mobility in this coastal town is far from over.