Population Boom in Estepona, Marbella and Benalmádena Sparks Transport Concerns
Estepona, Marbella and Benalmádena, three of Spain’s fastest-growing municipalities, are facing a significant transport issue due to their rapid population growth. The current infrastructure is struggling to keep up with the increasing demand, highlighting the need for long-term solutions.
Sustainable Transport Solutions on the Table
Several sustainable transport options have been proposed by various stakeholders. The Mancomunidad de Municipios de la Costa del Sol, a public consortium that provides shared services to eleven municipalities in the western part of Malaga province, is advocating for private investment. The consortium has allocated 30,000 euros in its 2024 budget to explore the most appealing options for investors.
Mancomunidad President Advocates for Private Investment
Manuel Cardeña, the president of the Mancomunidad, emphasized the need for immediate solutions following a recent budget meeting. He believes that making transport attractive for private initiatives is a viable solution, as other proposed solutions are too expensive to implement.
Hybrid Train and Metro Initiative
The Mancomunidad plans to present a new initiative in the first half of this year. Cardeña described it as a hybrid between a train and an overground metro, an environmentally friendly electric transport system already in use in other parts of Europe.
Additional Proposals: Boats and A-7 Motorway
Two other proposals include boats and the freeing up of the A-7 motorway. Cardeña mentioned that they are working on improving maritime connections and studying legislation to enhance access to ports. Initial studies show promising figures from the maritime sector.
Freeing Up the A-7 Motorway
Cardeña also suggested freeing up the A-7 motorway as a potential solution. He urged the Spanish government to follow the example of the Las Pedrizas toll road in Malaga, where heavy lorries can pass free-of-charge after midnight, thereby relieving some of the pressure on the A-7.
