The Local Committee of Nueva Canarias-Bloque Canarista in Tías notes the "concern" conveyed by residents and users of Playa Chica, in Puerto del Carmen, regarding the loss of numerous parking spaces as a consequence of the actions being carried out in the area.
The Canarian party considers it "positive that works are being undertaken to improve and enhance Playa Chica, but it understands that tourism development cannot come at the expense of reducing the services and spaces that residents need daily".
NC-BC considers it "important to differentiate the two actions currently affecting the area". Firstly, the redevelopment and improvement works of the streets and the surroundings of Playa Chica, framed within the Lanzarote 2021 Tourist Sustainability Plan "The Energy of the Earth", with an investment of 2,259,940.16 euros. These works have led to the elimination or restriction of parking spaces that have been used for years by residents and users of Playa Chica.
Secondly, the works linked to the Ecological Park of Underwater Activities, located at the end of Bajamar street, a project that includes a ramp for sea access, shaded areas, showers and restrooms, storage, and a viewpoint area, with an estimated investment of 1.39 million euros.
For the spokesperson for the Canarians in the municipality, Juan de León, "it is positive that services and facilities are being incorporated into this area, but the City Council must explain how it plans to compensate for the loss of existing public parking space and what alternatives residents and users of Playa Chica will have".
Given this situation, de León believes that the City Council "must answer a very simple question: what parking alternatives will residents and users of Playa Chica have?".
The Canarian considers it "necessary for the City Council to explain what alternatives it has planned and, especially, if the solution involves forcing residents and users to use paid parking". Furthermore, he demands that adequate spaces be provided for the loading and unloading of equipment and materials for people who use Playa Chica for sports activities.
More public services
On the other hand, NC-BC also calls for an improvement of the public services at Playa Chica, including restrooms, showers, and adequate maintenance of the existing facilities.
“The residents are not against tourism or improving Playa Chica. What we cannot accept is that every action intended to improve the tourist destination means losing services for those who live here all year round. Tourism must coexist with the resident, not displace them,” points out the party.
NC-BC warns that the planning of Puerto del Carmen "cannot be done thinking exclusively of the visitor."
“Tourism is important for Tías, but the resident cannot be the one to pay the price for tourist success. We want a municipality where tourism and residents can coexist, where the visitor is cared for, but also, and above all, those who live here all year round.
"We cannot allow speculation and the growth of mass tourism to end up displacing residents and deteriorating their quality of life. Puerto del Carmen cannot become a place where there are increasingly more spaces designed for tourists and fewer services for those who live here," they point out.
"The improvements to Playa Chica must be for everyone. We cannot build a tourist destination with its back to its own residents. The resident must continue to have public parking, services, public spaces, and a good quality of life,” concludes Juan de León.
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