El Tanque Mayor Demands Urgent Infrastructure Repairs Amid Growing Tension with Tenerife Island Council
El Tanque Mayor Esther Morales is pressuring the Tenerife Island Council to address urgent safety and infrastructure failures on the TF-421, TF-82, and Casa Canales roads, citing risks to public safety and the local agricultural economy.
Road safety in the Isla Baja region has become a point of political friction between the El Tanque City Council and the Tenerife Island Council. Mayor Esther Morales is stepping up pressure on the island authorities, demanding urgent repairs to the TF-421 road, which the local government considers essential for the area’s connectivity.
This road is a vital alternative route whenever the coastal network is blocked. Its importance was highlighted during Storm Therese on March 27, when landslides on the San Pedro slope forced traffic from Buenavista del Norte and Los Silos to divert through the TF-421. The mayor notes that this is not an isolated problem; there have been four landslides on this stretch since the start of 2023. Despite eight formal requests from the City Council, the Island Council has yet to provide a permanent solution.
Beyond the TF-421, the local government has raised concerns about two other infrastructure issues affecting mobility and the local agricultural economy:
- The TF-82: This road, which connects the municipality to Icod de los Vinos and the south of the island, has poor signage, particularly at pedestrian crossings. The City Council describes this as unacceptable due to the danger it poses to pedestrians.
- The Casa Canales agricultural road: Improvements here have been stalled since 2021. Although the City Council received the technical plans last February, the project cannot proceed without a budget allocation. This road is critical for livestock and agricultural transport between Ruigómez and San José de los Llanos, directly impacting the livelihoods of many local families.
The City Council maintains that the slow pace of these projects is not only a safety risk but also a barrier to the economic development of a region that relies on a dependable road network.