Tenerife Residents Protest Decades of Municipal Neglect in Icor
Residents of the historic hamlet of Icor in Tenerife are protesting decades of municipal neglect, demanding urgent infrastructure improvements and greater transparency from the Arico local government.
The hamlet of Icor, located in the Arico municipality of Tenerife, has become the center of a growing dispute over basic services and the preservation of rural heritage. The local neighborhood association is speaking out against what they describe as 40 years of municipal neglect, arguing that the issue goes beyond simple maintenance and highlights a lack of fair public investment in rural areas.
Led by association treasurer Juan Ignacio Mérida García, residents are particularly concerned about the state of the local roads. They describe the connections between the TF-28 and TF-1 as critical, noting that many sections lack essential safety features like road markings, guardrails, and proper signage. Frustration has deepened following the failure of a promised 350,000-euro renovation project announced in early 2025, which residents say never materialized.
The Arico administration, currently governed by a PSOE and PP coalition, is facing significant pressure. Mayor Andrés Martínez (PP) maintains that over ten million euros have been invested in municipal improvements this term. He insists that road repairs in Icor are imminent, attributing some of the current damage to the recent storm, Therese. However, residents claim the council lacks transparency, pointing to the blocking of neighborhood representatives on social media as evidence of poor communication. Beyond road safety, the community is also calling for better public lighting and improved telecommunications, which they argue are vital for handling medical emergencies.
While the City Council has completed some projects, such as the restoration of the old La Morra Negra school for community use, residents argue these efforts do not address the area's deeper structural problems. As the neighborhood association prepares for its reactivation event on May 1st, they are continuing to use digital platforms to demand that the council turns its promises into real, tangible improvements for the safety and well-being of the historic hamlet.