The new parking lots installed last week in Caleta de Famara have generated discontent among the residents of the coastal town. The mayor of Teguise, Olivia Duque, defended their installation in an interview this Wednesday on Radio Lanzarote-Onda Cero. Duque acknowledges that the decision has been made for the good of the citizens. "Due to the number of visitors that La Caleta receives and due to the issue of security."
The City Council has considered it appropriate to make a change in traffic to gain security and width. "Make the Avenida del Marinero one way," the mayor recalled. A measure after which she recognizes that the area "has improved, taking into account that there is only one access road," she adds. A way to expand access to the avenue. "Gain more width to take advantage of some parking," she reveals.
The main reason for carrying out the modifications is the large number of visitors that Caleta de Famara receives every day. "I am clear that it is a tourist attraction, so we have to regulate it and protect it," she adds. It was the citizens who asked for these changes to prevent parking from starting in protected areas. "They wanted more parking spaces to prevent tourists from parking in places like Las Dunas and not harm the natural park," she says decisively. Above all, "we have tried to adapt," she points out.
Reacts to the words of the neighbors
The residents of Caleta de Famara, as well as associations such as Salvemos Famara, have denounced the situation and oppose the installation of the parking lots. Something to which Duque has been forceful. "We have tried to make decisions for the general good and with the reports of technicians who understand the subject quite well." She makes it clear that the measures cannot please everyone. "When decisions of that type are made, there is controversy and anger," she understands.
She recalls that even before the elections last year, they already met with the residents' association to discuss the issue. "It was understood that a traffic plan had to be made and regulated." She also does not understand the current complaints expressed by citizens, who criticize the number of cars that exist as a result of the six new parking spaces placed. "The visual impact is not like that in reality, you have to speak with knowledge of the facts," she adds. She says that it may be a nuisance, but not in an exaggerated way. "It is true that it takes away the view, and we have to look for a better alternative, but they cannot talk about a barbarity of cars."
Although she believes that the words of the neighbors are excessive, she admits that when seeing the new parking lots "she did not understand that they would benefit." "When I saw them, I called the municipal technicians, I did not understand why those parking lots were placed there," she explains.
The mayor's intention is "to see if we could reverse in that part," she assures that they are working on it. "We are evaluating it during the week," Duque reveals. But she clarifies that the other modifications will be maintained. "The rest stays that way, we cannot go against reality, we have to make decisions to protect La Caleta."
