Karl Smallman
A CONTROVERSIAL motorway plan has been shelved.
The toll motorway that would have carved its way through the protected Serrania de Ronda from the coast has been scrapped.
The route was deemed impractical after a report found the environmental and economic disadvantages outweighed any benefits.
The plans were first proposed in 2007 by the Junta, despite widespread opposition.
The Olive Press was one of the first to question the motorway’s necessity at a press conference with the Minister of Public Works Concepcion Gutierrez in Ronda.
We joined local pressure groups, who argued it was a waste of money, unnecessary and would be damaging to the environment.
The road would have carved through virgin woodland in the stunning Gena! Valley and disrupted the small rural community there. After six years the protesters have won their battle. “The link road would have a severe environmental impact on the flora, fauna, landscape and protected areas,” said a spokesman for Ecologistas en Accion.
Finally it was ruled that the new route would not be economically viable with the current levels of traffic.
However, the decision to shelve the plans means the existing road from Ronda to San Pedro will continue to be the most dangerous in the Malaga Province.
