Santa Cruz Neighborhood Faces Decades-Old Infrastructure Crisis, Residents Demand Action

In the Santa Cruz neighborhood of San Andrés, at the base of the mountain, lies the La Ladera area. Around a hundred people live here. The infrastructure in this neighborhood is from the 1970s and has long suffered from serious safety and sanitation issues. These problems worsen during the rainy season when the many steps that serve as streets turn into dangerous ravines. Waterfalls form, flooding homes and causing considerable damage and dampness.

Adding to these issues are over a dozen abandoned plots of land. These neglected spaces have become dumping grounds, attracting garbage, rats, and disease. Residents are calling for action, either from the city council or by holding the landowners responsible for maintaining their properties.

Marcos Cova, president of the El Pescador neighborhood association, told DIARIO DE AVISOS that the situation in La Ladera is concerning. He explained that an agreement was made with the City Council a year ago to carry out works and install a sanitation and rainwater management system, but nothing has been done.

Cova added that a neighborhood meeting was held on April 15, 2024, with representatives from Public Services and the Anaga district. During this meeting, residents stressed the urgent need for a renovation project to make the streets safe to walk on. Despite the City Council's promises and set deadlines, there has been no progress. Because of this, the association has requested a meeting with the Councilor for Public Services, Carlos Tarife, to discuss the matter.

The councilor for the area stated that the City Council is waiting for funding from the Cabildo to begin the agreed-upon works. This project is part of the Corporation's plan, and it is expected that the project will be approved next year, allowing it to be put out for tender and then executed.

Meanwhile, Marcos Cova reiterated that the neighborhood association has repeatedly asked the City Council for information about the La Ladera de San Andrés project. They have approached the Anaga district and submitted written requests to Public Services. The latter had committed to drafting the project in 2024, tendering the work in 2025, and carrying it out in 2026. However, as of now, there is no update, and the situation remains uncertain.

Cova emphasized the urgent need to fix the area's sewage and drinking water systems. He also highlighted that during rainy periods, it is already extremely difficult for residents to get to their homes due to the hundreds of steps. Therefore, he stressed that the project must include rainwater collection. The association hopes that the work, which is already significantly delayed, can begin next year.