News
Driverless bus
First tests of a driverless bus began in Málaga last month . The 12-metre electric vehicle with a capacity of 70 passengers is being developed though the Automost project , a pioneering collaboration between the city and the Avanza mobility group . The trials will continue throughout March on Route 90 between the Estación Marítima and the Paseo del Parque .
Stadium upgrade
A € 71,000 project to upgrade Nerja ’ s municipal athletics stadium got underway last month . Sports councillor Daniel Rivas said the artificial turf around the perimeter of the running tracks , which is used by athletes warming up , had deteriorated and reached the end of its useful life . It is being replaced , with other upgrades around the stadium , including new equipment , to follow .
Verano Azul
Nerja is working on preparations to mark the 40th anniversary of the iconic television series Verano Azul which was largely filmed in the municipality . First seen on Spanish TV on October 11 , 1981 , and subsequently in Spanish-speaking countries worldwide , the serial has been credited with boosting Nerja as a tourist destination . First events in the celebration are likely to start in May .
Taller sites
Specialists from Nerja Town Hall have been visiting sites which could become home to new premises for the town ’ s Taller de Amistad which seeks to improve inclusion and life quality for those suffering from intellectual and developmental disabilities . The complex is planned to include residential accommodation , a day centre and an occupational centre . The Town Hall has agreed to finance the technical project for the residence as well as to co-finance the works .
Rural roads
Málaga ’ s provincial government , the Diputación de Málaga , has earmarked € 1.3 million to upgrade 6.6 kilometres of rural roads in the Axarquía . The plans are part of an € 11.4 investment in the province over two years . The Diputación says the aim is to improve communications with rural communities to encourage mobility and discourage depopulation .
Vuelta returns to the coast
Vuelta 2021 Stage 19
The Vuelta a España , the annual Tour of Spain cycling race , will once again visit the coasts of Granada and Málaga this summer . In August , the elite athletes will begin the tenth stage of the event in the Almería resort of Roquetas de Mar and will travel 190.2 kilometres west along the coastline to Rincón de la Victoria .
The 76th staging of the country ’ s most important cycling event will start with time-trails in Burgos on August 14 and will end , after a gruelling 3,336.1 kilometres in 21 stages , at Santiago Cathedral on September 5 . It will include eight flat stages , two with highaltitude finishes , plus four hilly stages , seven stages in the mountains and two individual time-trial stages . There are just two rest days for competitors scheduled during the three week event .
Stage 10 on August 24 brings the Vuelta to the south coast as riders leave Roquetas and pass through Motril , Salobreña and Almuñécar in Granada
A fifth of the businesses which have closed in Torre del Mar will not open again , according to the President of the ACET union . Antonio Sebastián Pastor was speaking during a demonstration in Vélez . Málaga last month which called for increased levels of direct support for those whose income has been devastated by restrictions imposed during the Coronavirus crisis .
Around 50 business owners and hoteliers demanded they should not be “ criminalised or used as scapegoats ” which , Antonio Sebastián Pastor , said had caused 40 per cent of businesses in Torre del Mar to remain closed , with some destined never to re-open . The President of the ACEV union , Fernando Lisbona , expressed his concern over measures taken by the regional government which have impacted on the hotel industry , small businesses , the self-employed , and the worlds of entertainment and culture . and then continue on the coast road into Málaga through Nerja and Vélez- Málaga . This is a completely flat stage except for the final stretch which passes through the Almáchar mountain pass , which at 612 metres is classed as a second category climb , before a quick descent to the finish line in Rincón de la Victoria .
The Vuelta de España was established in 1935 but was suspended during Spain ’ s Civil War and World War II . The race has been held annually since 1955 and attracts teams of competitors from all over the world who cover a changing route , primarily in Spain , but which has included starting stages in Portugal , the Netherlands and France . Last year , the Vuelta was delayed until the autumn because of the Coronavirus crisis and was shortened to 18 stages .
Warning on business failures
Business leaders claimed in a manifesto that bars and cafés have been “ unfairly identified ” as the focus of contagion “ which is uncertain ” but which is causing “ incalculable economic damage .” They argue that , " a cause-effect relationship between the activity of these establishments and the evolution of infections has not been demonstrated .” The document added that the sectors cannot be “ allowed to be criminalized , using them as a scapegoat , making us responsible for contagion .”
The unions are demanding a legal agreement which allows the renegotiations of rents without the threat of eviction , a reduction in IVA , and direct aid for the self-employed and other private businesses . “ All we want is to work , to continue to maintain security measures and to exercise what we all know and must do ,” they added .
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