The local government proposes a project to replace the pedestrian walkway of Paseo de Poniente with a more durable and accessible one

The local government of Benidorm will take next Monday to the Urban Planning Information Commission the approval of the project 'Repair of Pedestrian Walkway on Poniente Beach', which proposes the replacement of the current wooden walkway located on the sand parallel to Paseo by an alternative “more durable, fully accessible one and that also includes the protection of existing sand”, as detailed by the Councilor for Works, José Ramón González de Zárate.

This project, valued at 1.2 million euros and affecting a total area of ​​5,400 square meters, proposes “the construction of a multi-layered structure topped with concrete that simulates a wooden completion”. In this way, “we maintain an aesthetic very similar to the current one, but we generate a completely stable, sustainable and more resistant pedestrian walkway for the effects of the weather, so that the investment to be made is more than amortized over the medium and long term. reduce maintenance costs ”.

This structure is composed of layers of different materials, each with a purpose. Thus, a geotextile will be placed at the base that will prevent contamination of the existing sand. Next, a 20-centimeter layer of artificial gravel will be installed, topped by another geotextile. On it, there will be a layer of geocells and gravel also of 20 centimeters; and then the prefabricated piece of concrete with wood texture, about 5 centimeters.

De Zárate has indicated that “the state of the current walkway has generated important complaints among citizens, since many of the wooden slats are damaged by the passage of time, water and sand; generating a bad image in the heart of our main tourist claim and even causing small falls or trips to users ”.

In addition, he added, “the fact that the current walkway is made of slats makes it very difficult to transit wheelchairs or baby carriages, so it was not an accessible solution. Something that we are going to solve now, since in addition to being a walkway with a stable surface, it will have the width established by the accessibility regulations ”.

The councillor also recalled that "in the Neighborhood Assembly held last year on the occasion of the wording of the Participatory Budget, one of the proposals most voted by the citizens was precisely the replacement of this walkway." “Until now,” he added, “we had carried out specific and emergency actions to repair damaged sections, such as the one executed at the end of 2018, in which we could only act on 5% of the surface. Therefore we saw that a definitive and lasting solution like the one we are proposing now was indispensable ”.

The City Council has already requested the Coastal Provincial Service authorization for the withdrawal of the current walkway; a withdrawal that would be made by sections. The project, written by the technicians of the Engineering area and which De Zárate has described as “emblematic”, contemplates an execution period of 3 months to be developed in phases.