Spanish government gives green light to Los Alcázares flood prevention plan

The rehabilitation of the Rambla de la Pescadería will alleviate the risk of flooding on the coast of the Mar Menor

The Town Hall of Los Alcázares is celebrating what the Mayor, El alcalde de Los Alcázares, Mario Pérez Cervera, has called a “historic step forward” for the municipality after the announcement by the national Ministry of the Environment that the contracts for the first phase of the plans to rehabilitate the Rambla de la Pescadería floodwater channel can be put out to tender.

The course of the Rambla runs through the town centre towards Playa Manzanares, and the theory is that if it is re-conditioned in order to channel surplus rainwater towards the Mar Menor in times of heavy storms the disastrous flooding which has affected Los Alcázares several times over the last decade can be avoided, or at least significantly alleviated. Unsurprisingly, this issue has been at the forefront of the local government’s priorities in recent years, and Sr Pérez Cervera, speaking after the Ministry notified the local authorities of the latest development, was quick to acknowledge the “years of work, insistence and persuasion” which it has taken to move forward with this “definitive solution to one of the main problems faced by Los Alcázares”.

The estimated budget for the first phase of the work is just over 14 million euros, which will allow the Rambla de la Pescadería to be routed alongside Avenida Fernando Muñoz Zambudio in an open channel 1,250 metres long. This in turn will necessitate the re-routing of road traffic and all of the existing services in the area, making it a major undertaking.

When that is done, the second phase, currently estimated to require a further investment of some 18 million euros, will involve the creation of a 30-hectare floodable public green area at the start of Avenida Fernando Muñoz Zambudio, helping not only to reduce the risk of flooding but also, again in the words of the Mayor, to “improve the safety and quality of life of the whole population”.

In addition, it is hoped that the new flood protection system will also contribute to the safeguarding of the marine environment in the Mar Menor.

A time of great optimism, then, but Mario Pérez Cervera warns that although this is a great step forward it is just one of many which are needed in order to provide a global solution to the problem. There is still a great deal of work to be done, he says, and it is important that those in the local administration should not rest on their laurels!

The images provided by the Town Hall show artist’s impressions of the completed conversion of Avenida Fernando Muñoz Zambudio.

For more local information in English, including news, what’s on and visiting advice, contact the tourist offices in Los Alcázares (main telephone number 968 575756) or go to the home page of Los Alcázares Today.

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Oficina de Turismo de Lorca

The rich and extensive history of Lorca has left a legacy of archaeological sites, and historic buildings, around which the modern city has built its tourism industry. Among these are Lorca Castle, the Jewish quarter of the castle and synagogue, Plaza de España, Colegiata de San Patricio, Museo de Arqueologico Municipal, Iglesia de San Francisco, Casa Huerto Ruano, Palacio de Guevara, Iglesia de San Mateo, Pósito de los Panaderos, Convento Virgen de las Huertas, Antiguo Convento de la Merced, Iglesia del Carmen and the Teatro Guerra.  

Unfortunately Lorca has also been prone to natural disaster, suffering a Gota Fría on September 28th 2012, as well as two earthquakes measuring 5.3 and 5.5 on the Richter scale on 11th May 2011, claiming 9 lives. Since this earthquake the city has been rebuilding, winning recognition for its Lorca, Open for Restoration initiative, which used the restoration of the city as a tourist attraction whilst it rebuilt its historical buildings, some of which are currently still not open.

The tourist office relocated for 14 years to Calle San Patricio, near the church, but has now returned to its former premises alongside the Palacio de Guevara in the Plaza Concha Sandoval, or Plaza de la Bordadora (click for map).

Lorca also has an area of coastline incorporating the Parque Regional de Cabo Cope - Puntas de Calnegre, in the Sierra de Almenara, which includes the beaches of Puntas de Calnegre, Baño de las Mujeres, San Pedro, El Siscal, Cala Honda, Cuartel del Ciscar, Junquera, Cala de la Gruta, Cala Leña, Los Hierros, Cala Blanca and Playa Larga, although many are accessible only along difficult tracks or by boat!

However, in spite of its many attractions, the name of Lorca is synonymous with Easter, (Semana Santa) its biblical parades of International Tourist Interest status and famous throughout Spain. The week includes a series of processions in which the Whites (Paso Blanco) and Blues (Paso Azúl) try to outdo each other with the magnificence of their embroideries and the skill and daring of their horsemen.

Lorca also has a Parador hotel, located within the historic castle.

Opening hours for Lorca tourist office:

Every day of the year apart from 1st and 6th January and 25th December, 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.30 to 18.30 (except Sunday afternoons).

These opening times are often extended and other information points created during the Semana Santa celebrations.

For more local news, events and visiting information go to the home page of Lorca Today

 

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