Tram controversy rumbles on in Velez-Malaga

THE reparation of all damages and other works necessary to bring the Velez-Malaga tram back to life will have a total cost of €1.47 million, according to a report presented on Friday (October 9) by the company Ingeotrans. 

Transport Councillor at the Velez-Malaga Council, Marcelino Mendez Trelles, stressed that the company had revised different elements of this service, which was interrupted back in June 2012. Amongst the factors taken into account were the electricity system, the railways and platforms as well as signs and other elements. 

Councillor Mendez Trelles claimed that the damages were caused due to a lack of maintenance by the town council. In addition, he explained that the deficit now amounts to €2.8 million. 

“We will have to see if the whole system works once the electrical system is connected, which could raise the costs even more if it does not work,” he said, and continued: “We still need the collaboration of the Junta de Andalucia to push the project forward and we would like to hold meetings to approach this matter.” 

Works to resume the service, according to the calculations of Ingeotrans, will take around six months if the Town Hall decides to re-launch this means of transport and will first tackle the stretch which goes from the Park Jurado Lorca de Velez-Malaga to Torre del Mar’s San Andres church.