The Socialist Local Group has raised concerns over the poor condition of numerous walkways and pedestrian paths in Playa de Las Américas. They argue that recent issues identified in the Milla de Oro are indicative of a broader problem regarding maintenance and preservation of the area, which is crucial for the municipality’s tourist image.
Socialist spokesperson José Julián Mena and Frank Tolle, the councillor for Tourism Policy, have inspected various routes, including walkways such as Guadalajara, San Salvador, and Cangrejo, discovering significant maintenance shortcomings.
“What we found in the Milla de Oro is not a one-off issue,” Mena stated. “The same problems of poor cleanliness, lack of upkeep, and unresolved damage are evident across the interior paths.”
The group has noted a range of issues, including uneven or damaged pavements, broken or misplaced manhole covers, rusted lampposts, and increasing instances of graffiti and neglected urban furniture. Green areas are also suffering, with unattended palm trees and vegetation, litter, and degraded landscaping.
The PSOE party stressed that these problems extend beyond aesthetics. Open manholes and uneven pavements pose safety risks, especially for older people or those with mobility issues.
Particular concern is directed at the area around the Playa de Las Américas Tourist Office and the Los Cardones walkway, where litter, unpleasant odours, and badly maintained surroundings have been reported.
Mena criticised the government of Fatima Lemes, comprising the PP, Coalición Canaria, and VOX, for their contradictory approach to tourism excellence while neglecting the public spaces that greet visitors.
Tolle highlighted that these walkways connect hotels, shops, and residential areas, serving tourists, workers, and residents alike.
“They are not secondary spaces. They are part of the visitor experience, and their deterioration harms our competitiveness as a destination,” he warned.
The Socialist Group believes that any attempt to improve cleanliness will be insufficient without proper repairs and coordinated maintenance. Mena argued that “finding dirt, weeds, broken pavements, open manholes, and broken lighting in the same path highlights a management problem.”
Recently, the PSOE proposed a Comprehensive Recovery Plan for the Milla de Oro, but Mena indicated that inspections reveal broader deterioration affecting all walkways in Playa de Las Américas.
He accused the current administration of downplaying the severity of the situation, insisting that three years should have been enough time to maintain and repair public spaces effectively.
“These areas should not be neglected just because they sit outside the main tourist routes,” he said.
In light of this situation, the Socialist Group is calling for an immediate operation by the government of Fatima Lemes to restore the tourist walkways and ensure that cleaning, gardening, and maintenance contracts are enforced.
They demand urgent repairs to address safety and accessibility issues, as well as intensive cleanup operations, removal of waste and bicycles, eradication of graffiti, and general restoration of green areas.
“There is no need for more studies to understand what is happening. We need to inspect these walkways, identify issues, and act immediately,” Mena urged.
He concluded: “First, it was the Milla de Oro, and now we see the deterioration of the interior pathways. This cannot be fixed with a quick cleaning after our complaints. We require an immediate response, addressing each issue individually, and ensuring visible results. Playa de Las Américas needs daily maintenance, not just actions when neglect becomes public.”
