Residents’ waste protest

A SYMBOLIC bag of garden waste was left at the entrance of the Orihuela Costa town hall building in Playa Flamenca to show residents’ anger over the shortfalls of rubbish collection and other services.

The protest was organised by the Plataforma Mantengamos Limpia la Costa (let’s keep the coast clean) and supported by the presidents of the main residents’ associations.

It had been announced a few days before on social media but the number of people interested in venting their anger was so high that the proposed demonstration had to be turned into a ‘symbolic event’ due to health safety reasons. Platform president Ana Raimundez said it all started spontaneously last week following a comment she made on social media about the state of neglect of the area.

“My comment got massive support and some of us decided to do something about it,” she said. “The platform is made up of seven people of different ages and nationalities. We are fed up with the abandonment of our town and the lack of cultural and sports facilities.”

Sra Raimúndez and the associations’ presidents met councillor for parks and gardens Ángel Noguera after the event and are to meet councillor for refuse collection and street cleaning Dámaso Aparicio in the coming days.

Sr Noguera blamed Covid-19 for the poor condition of the parks and vowed to take action to improve them in two weeks.

“We are giving him a vote of confidence, but we are meeting in two weeks to follow up the situation,” said Sra Raimúndez.

The CLARO party also showed its support. President Helene Akerman said: “We get daily complaints and calls for help from urbanisations, presidents and residents outraged by the absolutely dire situation around the area."