The proposed new Fire Station complex in Nerja could be getting a little bit closer to becoming a reality. On Monday, the Council were, in effect, urged to ‘get a move on’ with the project during a visit to the town by provincial delegate Salvador Prendón, and it looks like it might have worked.
The Nerja Council is busy finalising an agreement with SALSA (Sociedad Azucarera Larios) for the cession of a 2,500 square metre plot of land close to the A-7. The agreement is expected to be signed in the next few weeks. Once transferred to municipal control, the Council will then be responsible for building the complex.
The new complex, part of a €17 million provincial project, will cover not only Nerja but also Maro, Torrox and Frigiliana. Situated close to the A-7 highway, the land being used is seen as ideal for easy access and subsequent rapid deployment of firefighting units within the designated area.
The Council has already included €500,000 in the 2008 municipal budget for construction and it is expected that €600,000 will be included in the 2009 budget to cover equipment. This means that the complex could be in operation sometime in 2010 with 18 staff, 4 fire engines, a car park and a heliport.
Now that everyone has finished rolling around the floor with laughter, we will continue. The idea currently being pursued by the Council is to turn the complex into a sort of ‘Security Centre’, relocating the headquarters of the Guardia Civil, Local Police and Civil Defence.