Mayor taking notes....

Yesterday the Mayor of Benidorm, Agustin Navarro held a meet and greet surgery for local residents in the Rincon de Loix area. It is the fourth time that the Mayor has visited the area with the aim of finding out what problems are being faced on a day to day basis in the neighbourhood.
Together with his deputy Gema Amor and other members of the council, they sat and listened to problems and complaints raised by the residents.

Security was unsurprisingly high on the list and as if to highlight and emphasise the point, they witnessed a bag snatch literally yards away - fortunately for the lady involved, the thief was collared almost immediately by one of the police nearby and arrested. The handed out leaflets, which were printed in all the main languages - in fact one was also in Japanese, Korean and Arabic!

Selection of leaflets being handed out

After security, the next issue which most complained about was the demand for more control over the use of mobility scooters on the streets - or rather pavements.
Councillor Maria del Carmen Martinez has said that a draft has already been drawn up to regulate the use and hire of these vehicles in Benidorm - it will be interesting to see exactly what it will contain and how it will be regulated!

Scooter conga - now deemed "normal" in the resort!

"Madge-mania" has reached epidemic proportions in the resort and you cannot walk more than 50 metres before coming across one - or rather having to walk around one as they are often parked up on pavements, totally obstructing them. I really do not have an issue with those who have a genuine need to use one but over the last 5 years or so they are being hired out for fun and by the lazy bone idle who really could do with the exercise instead.

One of the largest mobility equipment companies in the resort, Amigo 24 already display a sign in their window stating that they do not hire out to young people - unless of course they genuinely need it. Mario the owner said that responsible hire companies such as themselves are also being criticised for allowing virtually anyone to hire them. I wonder whether the proposed new regulations will help the situation - something certainly needs to be done.

I am sure it was a bit of a culture shock for the Mayor - he doesn´t usually venture down to the Rincon end but perhaps he will now make more of an effort following the successful morning.