Tenerife: Reconstruction of the square has paralyzed the main street, residents demand a crossing.
In Tenerife, residents are complaining about the inconvenience caused by the simultaneous construction of a concert hall and the renovation of the square, demanding the installation of a pedestrian crossing, but the authorities are refusing.
In the town of La Victoria de Acentejo, Tenerife, residents and business owners of Pérez Díaz Street, the main shopping street, are suffering from inconveniences. They have to take detours to get home, to shops, or to the hospital. The reason is the simultaneous construction of a new concert hall and the reconstruction of Rodríguez Lara Square.
The renovation will also affect Plaza del Pino and Nicasio Moreno Boulevard. The idea is to make the area more modern and convenient for everyone. But so far, since December 9 of last year, people have been having a hard time. Especially the elderly and those with mobility issues, as the street leads to the church and the hospital on Salazar Street, about 150 meters away.
Locals are proposing a simple solution: to build a covered pedestrian crossing between the streets. This, they believe, would guarantee safety. They even collected 359 signatures on a petition to the city council, which was submitted back on September 18.
However, the authorities refuse, citing a "security plan" signed by Mayor Juan Antonio García Abreu.
"There are alternatives, and ours is the best. But the city council doesn't want to spend money, so they say it's impossible," the residents complain, adding that the biggest problem is getting to the hospital.
Construction work began on December 9 and was scheduled to be completed in four months. But, according to the builders, two or three more floors need to be built to reach street level.
Local businesses are also suffering due to the street closure, as it is difficult for customers to get to the shops.
People complain that the main exit from the street is closed due to work on strengthening the future concert hall, although it could be carried out elsewhere.
Residents and business owners understand the importance of these projects for the city, but believe that it is not worth enduring the inconvenience when there is a simple solution.
The complete reconstruction of the square is one of the largest projects being implemented in the city in recent years. Its cost is 3.5 million euros, co-financed by the Cabildo of Tenerife.
The plan is to create a modern, convenient square with an elevator near the old town hall, so that people with disabilities can easily access all municipal services.
The new concert hall is being built on the site of the former cinema, between Pérez Díaz and Valerio Jerez streets, in the lower part of the square. Investments in this project exceed 4 million euros.
Journalists tried to contact Mayor Juan Antonio García Abreu, who wrote on his Facebook page that the work on the square is proceeding according to plan and will be completed on time.