17/11/2002 00:00
TW
0

The central ministry of the environment will spend 40 million euros on the Balearic coastline and will carry out 19 projects this year and next. Most of the projects will go ahead despite unfavourable reports from the Balearic government, whose own environment ministry is often at loggerheads with its State counterpart, which is headed by former Balearic leader Jaume Matas. The projects will be carried out by the coastal authority, whose chief, Fernando Garrido, said that the ministry had no plans to renounce any of them. One of the most controversial projects is the promenade of Colonia de Sant Jordi, which will cost nearly five million euros. But Garrido said that this stretch of shore will soon “be the envy of many municipalities.” It is hoped the project will be completed within six months, in time for the summer. Another project is the recuperation of the dune system at Es Trenc beach, using a method used successfully in Formentera. Once again, the local government is opposed to the plan. Work at the Cala de Valldemossa started in October. The coastal authority had hoped to build a car park over a water course, but this plan was scotched by the Balearic ministry. Plans to regenerate the beach at Soller have met with opposition not only from the government but also from the Soller council. The plan is to add 30'000 cubic metres of sand and build a wooden platform so that it will be possible to go from the Playa den Repic to the port without having to go by road. A promenade is also planned from Es Molinar past Es Carnatge to Can Pastilla. The project has been divided into eight stretches and the eighth stretch, which goes from the end of Es Carnatge to Can Pastilla should be completed within six months. This promenade will have a bike-only lane. Garrido criticised the Balearic government for its “attitude of obstruction.”