The heavy rains this Saturday have once again flooded streets, homes and businesses in Arrecife, "highlighting once again the lack of action by the rulers of Lanzarote in the face of a problem that has been dragging on for years," says the councilor of the Cabildo, Armando Santana, who stressed that "there are no more excuses" and "the time has come to be brave."
Santana has publicly offered a hand to the president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote to "resume with determination and without further delay the Water Paths project, an innovative and sustainable initiative that was conceived years ago and even had funding during the past term, but which was stalled by the political blindness of those who did not want to take the step when there was still time."
"Today Arrecife is once again suffering the consequences of inaction. But the most serious thing is that the solution already exists, it is simple, and it has been on the table for years. We are not talking about a theoretical project: it is written, studied and endorsed by experts. All that is missing is will," the councilor stressed.
Five years ago, the Cabildo of Lanzarote was already addressing this problem during the seminar Sponge City. Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, held within the cycle Naturalization of Arid Cities. Under the direction of the architect Juan Palop-Casado and with the participation of renowned national specialists, the Water Paths project was presented, conceived as a comprehensive solution based on the recovery of the natural runoff of Arrecife and its transformation into pedestrian corridors that, in addition to connecting neighborhoods with the coast, allow draining, storing and using rainwater in a natural and sustainable way.
"I hope that the images that we all could see of the water destroying everything in its path from San Bartolomé, will serve to remove the absurd idea of installing the rally track contemplated by the PIOL in that place and replace it with a rainwater bioretention park," says the councilor.
"This project is the perfect example of how a city can adapt to climate change with criteria and common sense. Arrecife has to stop turning its back on the water and start living with it," said Santana.
Coalición Canaria itself, the political formation that governs both the Cabildo of Lanzarote and Arrecife, "always supported this proposal, including it repeatedly in its electoral programs. It is not a new or improvised idea. It is a strategic commitment to the future of the capital," he added.
Armando Santana recalled that, during the previous term, specific economic items were achieved for this purpose, but he accuses "the lack of political vision and institutional immobility prevented the project from materializing. We cannot afford more seminars or more studies if they are not accompanied by decisions. We must act now," he concluded.
With this call, the councilor invites all political groups to "put aside partisan interests and prioritize the well-being of the citizens of Arrecife, who year after year suffer the consequences of a city unable to manage its own rains."
