As part of the central government’s plans to stimulate local economies, Nerja is due to recieve €3,600,000 under the Plan Especial Estatal de Inversiones (Special State Investment Plan) for improvements to infrastructure.
The Council has already submitted 20 projects which have already been approved by the Secretaría de Estado de Cooperación Territorial. Now, the Council has submitted another five projects for consideration, these being:
- Completion of the paddle tennis courts and parking area at the Enrique López Cuenca Sports Stadium.
- Sanitation
- Upgrading and adapting the changing rooms at the Municipal Sports Centre (Polideportivo Municipal)
- Construction of changing rooms and improving the electrical installation at the car park at Paseo Nuevo
- Improvements to the petanca courts in Parque Verano Azul
Whilst appreciative of such government aid, the Council noted that there are negative aspects to such funding, these being:
A lack of time to fully evaluate projects within the time limit specified by the central government.
The funding doesn’t take into account the costs incurred for technical reports, project management and administration, health and safety studies etc. If external consultants are used, these extra project costs could run to €250,000.
In addition to the central government funding, the town will benefit from a similar plan being set up at a regional level. Projects under consideration for this are:
- Parking in El Chaparil
- A roundabout at Puente Viejo, which will be the access point for a new Health Centre
- Improvements to the garden areas of the Balcón de Europa and Paseo Nuevo
- Improvements to the Municipal Sports Centre (Polideportivo Municipal)
- Improved signposting on roads in the town in order to improve safety
It would, of course, be nice if some of the many other projects already started could actually get finished!