Size does matter: Dénia blames 'design fault' for botched coach station

DÉNIA council has 'apologised' for its new coach station being too small and promised to find a way to expand it without the cost coming out of the taxpayer's pocket.

The portokabin bus terminal – now near the Monday market site – was set up as a 'temporary solution' until the Gandia-Oliva-Dénia train line was built, although this rail project has once again been postponed sine die.

Years of complaints about the cramped coach station in the central Plaza del Archiduque Carlos, where passengers had to alight onto a main road, led to the new terminal being unveiled earlier this month.

But large coaches cannot get through the entrance or turn around – so passengers still have to alight on a main road.

Mayor Vicent Grimalt blames a 'design fault' for the €282,000 facility being unsuitable for use.

The site itself is plenty big enough, he assures, and he will seek government subsidies to pay for its extension.

Even then, coaches of 15 metres or more in length will not be able to enter or turn around.

Planning councillor María Josep Ripoll says the main road used for disembarking – now dubbed Platform 0 – is actually a hit with coach drivers as it enables them to drop off travellers and luggage quickly.

But the opposition says it is dangerous as only a line painted on the road separates it from fast cars.

They also asked why the terminal was not built larger if the space has always been available.

The council has blamed the previous PP-led local government for the botched plans.