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Tues 30th August - Mon 5th September 2016
Blocked road results in residents’ deaths
R
ESIDENTS IN ROJALES are petitioning the Mayors of Rojales and Benijofar to remove a curb that runs down the centre of the road that divides the two boroughs. This curb stops emergency services from taking the quickest route in life and death situations and the bureaucratic block has led to four deaths in recent months, the last of which was just six weeks ago.
The problem is that according to satellite navigation systems and Google maps you can drive from the Mercadona roundabout up Calle Valencia and turn at the tops to access Calle Castellon or Avenida Rio Tajo. However, there is a concrete curb which runs across the top of Calle Valencia and the length of Calle Castellon blocking the way. This route is the quickest way from local towns and main routes such as Quesada, Benijofar, Algorfa, AP7 and CV95 to the some 600 residents that live in the Atalaya Urbanisations. Jennifer Foster, President, Atalaya 13, said: “The presidents of each of the Atalya urbanisations have been working together to try and get the situation resolved before there are further fatalities.” There seemed to be light at the end of the tunnel in 2014 when plans were
approved to remove the curb and install a roundabout to link the three roads. However, just as work was about to begin the project was halted by the Mayor of Benijofar. Frustrated, the residents wrote to the Ombudsman, who in turn asked each of the Mayors why the curb was there and why it couldn’t be removed.” The Mayor of Rojales supported the removal and outlined his suggestions of how this could be done, complete with technical specifications from the municipal engineer. The Mayor of Benijofar however, listed several reasons as to why the curb has to remain including flood water and the differing levels of the two sides of the road. Jennifer said: “There were no objections given that cannot be resolved; tarmac can be levelled and the road is sloped so rain or flood water would not be affected at all. It’s
hard to believe that this is more important than people’s lives”. However, it now appears there is more to his stance, after it came to light that in April the Mayor, Luis Rodrizez, held a meeting of residents closest to the Benijofar side of the border. Around 80 people attended and 76 of these voted against removing the curb believing it would encourage increased through traffic and the Mayor does not want to go against the wishes of his constituents. Jennifer said: “We have asked the Ombudsman if 76 people have the right to dictate the decision, there are around 600 residents on the other side of the curb. The emergency services can reach the Benijofar houses because they are before the road block, not after. There are also very few houses on the road from Mercadona to be affected
by cars. We are also trying to organise a meeting between all residents affected to see if an agreement can be reached.” The group is still waiting for a final decision from the Ombudsman, which has the authority to have the curb removed and the road opened either for all traffic or for emergency access only. The residents’ only concern is that this is done before any more people lose their lives. Mireille Toddington
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