CHAOS REIGNED on Friday as the first day for the new location of Torrevieja’s traditional market was beset by a series of hiccups.
Keen to check out the new venue, thousands of extra visitors and many more than predicted by the local council swamped the market that has moved to its new home next to the Aqua Park.
Overall, people gave the market their approval although during the peak time of between 11am and 12.30pm, severe traffic congestion was reported around the areas of Avenida de Delfina Viudes and Avenida de Rosa Mazón which affected the nearby Ozone and Habaneras commercial centres. The situation wasn’t helped with the beginning of road works in one of the adjoining roads reinforcing the drainage in response to the flooding caused by storms at the end of last year.
Other complaints focused on the bars not being open on the new site – the bars close to the previous market location of Nueva Torrevieja were empty on Friday – and the lack of natural shade from the high surrounding buildings which is going to be exacerbated when the heat of the summer takes effect.
Transport to and from the market was also an issue for many, particularly the elderly that either couldn’t get on the buses available and ended up walking, or gave up waiting for them altogether and returned home.
On the positive side, both shoppers and market traders were impressed with the amount of parking space and there hadn’t been any reports of the regular pick pocketing which has been an ongoing concern for many years, possibly due to the increased visible presence of the local police and civil protection force.
Torrevieja’s Councillor for Markets, Javier Manzanares, said that if it is necessary to improve and increase the bus service then “it will be done”. He also admitted that the town hall was “overwhelmed” by the influx of members of the public.
