Support for the environment rock solid

Beach tops the list for protection

PROMISES to protect the fragile coastline of a Marina Alta seaside resort goes right to the top after a meeting to discuss the future of the environment.

Playa Primer Montañar, the rocky beach stretching from Jávea port to El Arenal beach, is seen as a priority during the discussions over how to care for the landscape, nature and heritage of the beaches and bays of the town.

Mayor José Chulvi, Rosa de los Rios, head of the Alicante provincial government’s coastal service – known as the ‘ Costas’ – and MP Araceli Poblador met to discuss how to preserve Jávea’s coast.

And top of the list was the beach and discussions centred on how to protect the area which draws thousands of visitors a year – the town hall aims to complete a number of works to improve both the image of the beach and its use by the public.

Mr Chulvi explained the Costas had fully supported this summer’s prohibition of parking on the beach; adding it was in ‘ perfect harmony’ with central government sustainability objectives.

He said the coastal department also shared the ‘ conviction’ that Playa Primer Montañar was a place of particular historical interest, where tosca stone was traditionally quarried for building since Roman times.

The different tiers of government at the meeting agreed to work together on a ‘ global project’ aimed at enhancing the stretch of coast, including a project to adapt it as a promenade – the coast road between the port and the Arenal tourist area was made one way earlier in the year.