EU-Podem Warns of 'Neglect' of Ovejas Ravine and Demands Immediate Cleaning from the City Council

EU-Podem, the municipal group in Alicante City Council, has submitted a question for the April plenary session, scheduled for this Thursday. They demand the council to carry out the 'immediate cleaning' and 'urgent dredging' of the Ovejas Ravine, while warning of the 'flood risk in neighbourhoods such as San Gabriel or Gran Vía Sur'.

The coalition recalls in a statement that 'in January 2024, this situation was already highlighted in the plenary session, but more than a year later, the problem not only persists but has worsened'. They add that 'despite the promises' of Deputy Mayor Manuel Villar 'to intervene in sections three and four of the channel, no effective measures have been taken'.

'Both the Ministry of Ecological Transition and the Ombudsman and the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation (CHJ) have pointed to the City Council as responsible for cleaning the urban section. It is not acceptable to hide behind other administrations. Elche has already acted. Why hasn't Alicante?', adds EU-Podem.

Similarly, they argue that currently 'the ravine accumulates sludge, waste, and faecal solids, which reduces its evacuation capacity and violates regulations': 'This situation endangers schools and homes located in an area classified by Patricova as of maximum danger'.

EU-Podem has stressed that 'there can be no more delays' and that 'it is necessary to clean the channel and coordinate with the Generalitat and the CHJ for an action agreement, as has already been done in other municipalities'. 'The safety of residents cannot be left to chance or the weather forecast for next autumn', they concluded.