Hundreds turn out for beach 'wreckage' protest

AROUND 300 residents and holiday-home owners lined up along Les Deveses beach to protest over the 'total neglect' that has left their houses in danger.

Little more than a decade ago this stretch of coastline which is geographically in El Verger and spills over into Oliva but classified as part of Dénia – was around 60 metres wide, and it would take a good minute and a half to walk across the sand to the sea.

But now, the waves batter against patios and boundary walls – those which have not been torn to shreds and uprooted by successive storms.

Most of the rubble from the wrecked houses is still scattered on what is left of the beach, as authorities have not cleared it since Storm Gloria struck in January – and national coastal laws prevent homeowners from carrying out repairs.

They had planned to block the Las Marinas road during their demonstration, but were denied permission to do so 'because of a nearby gas pipe', says residents' association chairman Juanjo Giménez.

Instead, they gathered on a plot near Los Llanos holiday park, each protester standing at least two metres apart.

Everyone carried their own placards, although some family units each bore a banner between them, and all demonstrators wore face masks.

An ambitious plan at national government level was drawn up last year with a budget of €14 million, involving building two half-sunken piers, artificial dunes, and sandscaping – but as yet, there is no sign of it being carried out.

Meanwhile, sunseekers have to dodge sharp, rusted chunks of metal and precarious brick walls that threaten to fall onto them whilst they soak up the rays.