It’s a long walk up

TRAFFIC could be barred from the La Cruz, the Cross at the top of the Sierra Helada national park.

The proposal came from the Municipal Environment Committee which recently met for the first time in six years.  Jose Ramon Gonzalez de Zarate, the town hall’s Environment councillor and a committee member, attended the meeting accompanied by members of the political parties on the council.  Also present were representatives from the Sierra Helada national park’s Board of Governors as well as business, civic and sporting associations.

The town hall plans to study the proposal which has practically unanimous backing from committee members, De Zarate said.

Barring vehicles from the Cruz is in line with measures taken by national parks and locations of tourist and environmental value, De Zarate said, citing the road up to the lighthouse in Albir.  Deciding the point where vehicles could go no further would need to be decided by the Traffic department, the councillor added.  

“Restricting traffic also would help to avoid or at least reduce the problem of litter in the area,” De Zarate also pointed out.  Although cleaning the zone was not a municipal responsibility the town hall was doing so to the best of its ability, owing to the national park’s staff shortage.

The town hall was anxious to improve the image of Sierra Helada accesses and signposting, De Zarate said.  It is finishing the pavements in Calle Manuel Catalan Chana and plans to re-asphalt the road and introduce speed bumps.