Salobreña Old Town residents tell politicians: show us what you have done

Residents of Salobreña’s Old Town have made it clear: political parties must demonstrate tangible results rather than simply making empty promises ahead of the 2027 local elections. The Neighbourhood Association of the Old Town has decided to stop meeting with any political candidates or groups before the local elections next year. After years of discussions and unfulfilled pledges, residents are growing increasingly dissatisfied with the state of public spaces, services, and infrastructure in their historic district.

Key issues include the deterioration of public spaces, inadequate cleaning and maintenance, poor accessibility, poor road conditions, lack of infrastructure improvements, and the need to revitalize local businesses. The association asserts that "Salobreña Old Town does not need new electoral promises. It needs action, a budget, and results."

Instead of another meeting to outline the community’s concerns, residents demand that each political party publicly present its plans, including proposed work, funding, deadlines, and commitments.

The association’s stance does not preclude ongoing dialogue with local government officials on specific projects, budgets, and practical solutions. However, it emphasizes that representatives are already aware of the residents' demands. This position comes after numerous complaints, most recently in July, about the lack of summer cleaning, overflowing rubbish bins, insufficient street washing, and delays in waste collection.

Residents have also long complained about maintenance, lighting, traffic congestion, parking issues, and accessibility challenges.

In 2024, the neighbourhood association submitted 18 proposals for urgent repairs and called for a comprehensive action plan. For Salobreña’s Old Town, a UNESCO protected historic district, the future should not be left to the whims of the electoral calendar. The message to voters is clear: political parties seeking support in 2027 must show concrete evidence of what they have accomplished before expecting to receive local votes.