News in Brief – Costa Blanca North

Charged up VILLAJOYOSA’S Policia Local have received a new electric car as their existing fleet of vehicles is gradually renewed. The Renault Zoe model was deliberately chosen for its dimensions and versatility that make it especially suitable for negotiating the Old Town’s narrow streets where existing police cars cannot enter. 
Spanish course RESIDENTS have until June 30 to register for a free online Spanish course organised by the Alicante Diputacion on the www.ciudadanosextranjeros.es website.  To reserve one of the 400 places, allocated on a “first come, first served” basis, it is necessary to provide a copy of their Padron certificate.  
Autumn date THE central government confirmed that the subsidised IMSERSO holidays will commence as usual next autumn.  Junior Tourism minister Fernando Valdes rebutted criticism that arrangements had been left too late and insisted that these are already underway and will be finalised in time to comply with the habitual timetable. 
Lions share LA NUCIA’S Lions Club donated €500 of supplies to La Nucia’s Food Programme which helps local families currently going through a difficult time.  Pupils from Elian’s School also contributed by donating pictures painted for the Peace Poster Competition that were later auctioned to raise cash for the project. 
On track THE regional government’s Public Works department recently announced that it is working on plans to add San Juan town and Muchamiel to the TRAM network. Roser Obrer, the department head, explained that the first phase will extend the line as far as San Juan before continuing to Muchamiel. 
Paseo repairs PAVING along the La Cala section of the promenade along Benidorm’s Poniente beach is under renovation, ready for the start of the summer season.  Affected by the passing of time and thousands of tourists each day, this is the first time it has been repaired in 10 years. 
Beach plans A LOCAL development group that has already sold all the properties in a still unfinished Calpe complex, announced plans for 15-storey apartment building of ultra-modern design 150 metres away from the l’Arenal beach.
Fire fiestas DENIA has yet to decide whether to follow Valencia City’s lead and celebrate their twice-postponed Fallas fire fiestas in September or wait until 2022 when in theory there should no more Covid restrictions.
Long wait Benidorm town hall pushed through plans for the Rincon de Loix health centre, hoping that after a 34 year-wait this will be included in Generalitat spending of €658 million on health system infrastructure.

The Euro Weekly News is running a campaign to help reunite residents in Spain with family and friends by capping the cost of PCR tests for travel. Please help us to urge the UK government to cap the cost.