Santa Cruz Mayor Pushes for Traffic Limits in Anaga Amid Resident Protests

Managing traffic in the Anaga Massif has reached a critical point after Santa Cruz de Tenerife Mayor José Manuel Bermúdez publicly called for limits on private and tourist vehicles in the protected area. Local neighborhood associations are now urging the mayor to formally present this proposal to the Island Council (Cabildo Insular) at a technical meeting scheduled for the 30th.

The conflict stems from residents being unable to reach their own homes due to severe road congestion. Mayor Bermúdez recently stated on Radio Marca that he opposes building new parking spaces and instead supports staggering visitor numbers to prioritize local access. Neighborhood groups are using this stance to pressure the Island Council, insisting that the upcoming meeting must go beyond administrative formalities to address urgent issues, particularly at hotspots like Cruz del Carmen.

Tensions are further fueled by a lack of community involvement. Residents are frustrated that the Cabildo plans to present a Mobility Strategy developed over the last two years without any prior consultation or field research among those who live in the area. Locals argue that this lack of engagement undermines the collaborative process necessary for managing such a sensitive natural space.

This situation highlights the difficulty of balancing Anaga’s status as both a Biosphere Reserve and a residential community. While the island administration looks for ways to manage tourism, residents are demanding that mobility plans be based on their daily reality rather than office-based theory. The meeting on the 30th will be a key test to see if the City Council and the Cabildo can reach a consensus that delivers real solutions, or if the disconnect between technical planning and the needs of the community will continue to grow.