The prospects of a new port being built in south Tenerife have receded even further with the announcement by the head of the island’s governing Cabildo that she is fully behind extending Los Cristianos to take more traffic.
Proposals had been on the table for years to create a new port in Fonsalía along the coast at Guía de Isora to alleviate the pressure on Los Cristianos but, despite support from various sectors, the new port facility – which would cost hundreds of millions of euros – has never obtained the political backing required.
An alternative in the shape of upgrading the under-used port at Granadilla has also been considered but Rosa Dávila, president of the Cabildo and formerly Director General for Transport in the Canarian government for many years, now says that Los Cristianos must be extended as a matter of priority.
The port handled 2.3 million passengers and 500,000 vehicles last year but its limitations become readily apparent at peak times such as summer when ferry crossings to La Gomera reach a height and make Los Cristianos one of the busiest ports in the country.
“It is clear that Fonsalía is not going to happen in the short, medium or long term and it is not even the best location operationally-speaking, so Los Cristianos must receive attention as a matter of urgency. This cannot be put off any longer”, said Dávila.
The news has been welcomed by the port’s users, especially the ferry companies, but will be of concern to residents and visitors to Los Cristianos, who have to put up with major traffic congestion in and around the port area. However, even if not immediately, some respite may be in the cards in the form of plans to build tunnels to take a key stretch of road known as Vía Chayofita underground to alleviate the congestion.
Photo: Port Authority
