The Highways Department of the Ministry of Development in Málaga has refused to provide financial aid to Torrox Council following the three week closure of part of the N-340 coastal road due to rockslides caused by the heavy rains.
The road had to be closed after heavy rains caused the hillside to crumble. Several vehicles were damaged during the landslides.
After three weeks, a narrow passage was opened and the traffic flow was resumed, albeit restricted.
The Council is seeking financial aid both to repair the road and to initiate measures to stabilise the cliffs to prevent further incidents.
The Highways Department is refusing both to help pay for any repairs or collaborate in the finding of a permanent solution to the situation. Their argument is that the management of this stretch of road was signed over to Torrox Council in 2006 during the socialist government of Francisco Muñoz and therefore it is no longer the responsibility of the Provincial Government.
The current Mayor of Torrox, Toñi Claros (IU), says that her party warned of the dangers of taking over the stretch of road, between Torrox Costa and Calaceite, and therefore she intends to continue requesting financial assistance.