Train line cut

THE TRAM train line from Benidorm to Denia is currently cut between Calpe and Teulada due to the construction of a new bridge over Quisi gorge in Benissa.

The service between both stations was interrupted on Saturday July 1 and is not expected to resume at least until Saturday July 15.

In the meantime, the affected stretch is covered by bus, with stops next to the train station in Calpe, on the Avenida del País Valencià on the N ­ 332 in Benissa, and at the train station in Teulada.

Lowest unemployment

LA MARINA BAJA is facing the summer high season with the lowest unemployment figures of the last 20 years.

Benidorm is currently nearly at ‘full technical employment’ with less than 3,800 residents without a job while shops, bars and restaurants throughout the town are hanging up notices looking for workers.

While obviously good news in general, the figures are not that great for business owners, who are having trouble reinforcing their workforce ready for the busiest time of the year when the district’s population practically triples with the influx of tourists and visitors.

The situation is largely compounded by the poor working conditions offered in some sectors such as the hospitality trade, which requires long hours and full dedication at weekends and on bank holidays for considerably low wages.

In addition, the high cost of seasonal property rentals in tourist hotspots such as Benidorm prevents many temporary workers from travelling from other parts of Spain for the summer campaign ­ a situation that is repeated in Mallorca, among other areas.

Once work on the new bridge is complete, the transfer between the diesel trains and the

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new dual electric ­ diesel vehicles will take place at Calpe station and not in Teulada as it has done until now.

The project is part of a general overhaul of the line to replace the old diesel trains that cover part of the line for electric ones.

The original bridge was built in 1915 and once the new structure is complete it will be made into part of a public ‘via verde’ walking route.

Sunny summer

THE Repsol Guide has awarded 314 new distinctions to the best beach bars and terraces in Spain ­ with 31 located in the Valencia Region.

In fact, Valencia is the second Spanish region to receive the most ‘Soletes de Verano’ (‘Summer Suns’) awards this year after Andalucia (63) and above Catalonia (30).

Among this year’s winners are Algas L’Andragó in Moraira, Zafiro in Calpe, Primera Línea in Denia, Las Gaviotas and Malaspina in Benidorm, Xef Pirata in Altea, and Casa José Obelix and Chef

Alicante and back in a day

A YOUNG woman from Birmingham has gone viral on TikTok after sharing a report of a trip to Alicante where she spent only six hours but which was cheaper than taking a train to London.

In her video, the user ­ who was accompanied by her aunt ­ recommends her followers do the same and shows some of the city’s main attractions.

The travellers explain that their trip began at 7am when they arrived at Birmingham airport for their flight to Alicante at 8.30am, although it was delayed 90 minutes.

STORIES IN THIS WEEK’S EDITION

U3A Vall del Pop

ON Saturday June 24 some 60 members of the U3A Vall del Pop gathered at Casa Paula and Chris Heffron, who had opened up their beautiful garden for a Goodwill Team BBQ.

Amadeo in Gandia.

Repsol began awarding the distinction eight years ago, since when 3,300 establishments have received the prestigious yellow sticker recognising the quality and originality of chiringuito beach bars, terraces and ice cream parlours.

The list of Soletes can be found on a new app launched by the Repsol Guide with Alicante and Valencia among the provinces with the most distinctions.

For further information visit www.guiarepsol.com and ‘Guia Repsol’ on Facebook.

Chris had a busy afternoon producing amazing food, which all the members consumed with the wine and sangria flowing. Paul J kindly volunteered to play disco music so everyone could dance or sing along with the music.

To cap a truly wonderful evening some members were lucky enough to see the Sky Train satellites passing in the skies above the garden.

The Goodwill Team offered their grateful thanks to Paula, Chris (chef) Ellie, Sam and Paul J for a fantastic evening which raised €1,000 for the charity fund.

For further details on the association, meetings and groups visit www.u3avalldelpop.com

After landing in Alicante they filmed themselves strolling down the famous Calle de las Setas and swimming at Postiguet beach, which the TikToker, who goes under the name t.rohinix, compared to Blackpool.

She lamented the fact that they did not have enough time to visit Santa Bárbara castle before their flight back home at 9.30pm.

She also explains that their flights to and from Alicante cost them £72, compared to the £80 of a train ticket from Birmingham to London.

Forest fires will be a major threat again this year.