The Coastal Town in Alicante Without Blue Zone Parking This Summer

One of the main issues in the most tourist-heavy towns, especially those on the coast, is parking. Endless hours spent circling in search of a spot near the beach to unload all the necessary gear: deck chairs, umbrellas, coolers, inflatables... A pressing need that local councils attempt to manage by implementing regulated parking services or blue zones to ensure vehicle turnover.

However, drivers take note, one of the most touristy towns in the province of Alicante is without a blue zone this summer. This makes parking more challenging, but if you manage to find a spot, you can leave your car there all summer without moving it. This is the case in the town of Calpe, in the Marina Alta, which has been unable to award the service due to an appeal by one of the bidding companies and "the possibility that the award proposal could generate new appeals," according to the Town Hall.

The absence of the ORA could be beneficial for some, who will park for free as long as they wish. But it also poses a problem for shopkeepers, who may lose customers due to the lack of parking. Therefore, the Town Hall is considering various measures to compensate the business community and citizens for any difficulties and inconveniences they may experience.

This week, some of these measures are expected to be specified, potentially including reductions in municipal fees, direct aid or subsidies, or promotional campaigns.

The mayor, Ana Sala, has expressed her concern and stated, "We are fully aware of the difficulties this situation is causing for shopkeepers, and we are working to provide solutions while the new ORA service contract is resolved. I personally commit to compensating shopkeepers and restaurateurs, whether or not they are part of the Merchants Association, with commercial promotion campaigns, economic actions, or other measures." Efforts are already underway "to initiate immediate actions to compensate the business community for the losses that may result from the lack of turnover in public parking."

Another measure the Council intends to implement is to enable private plots to be leased to the Town Hall and converted into public deterrent parking in the urban centre, near the commercial area. Meetings with various plot owners have already begun with this aim.

This week, the government team plans to hold an urgent meeting with AEMCO and local shopkeepers to coordinate provisional measures and assess the impact week by week.