San Fulgencio Mayor Demands Removal of Temporary Bridge Over Serious Flood Risk

San Fulgencio's Mayor José María Ballester is calling for the immediate removal of a temporary bridge across the Reina irrigation channel, citing concerns over its impact on floodwaters. The bridge, built to give access to Clarios’s battery factory, includes three concrete culverts that Ballester claims reduce the channel's drainage by at least 30 centimetres.

During heavy rainfall, this could create a bottleneck and obstruct the flow, particularly given that the Reina is the main drainage route for the municipality. The mayor emphasized that protecting residents takes priority over the temporary industrial access the bridge provides. The temporary crossing is part of a larger flood-prevention scheme, initiated after severe floods in September 2019, and aims to increase the channel's capacity to 30 cubic metres per second.

However, Ballester argues that the temporary structure contradicts the scheme's purpose. He also criticized the authorities for not consulting the local Water Syndicate before construction began. Regional water officials visited the site on Monday to address Ballester's concerns and explore alternative solutions. The Water Syndicate's governing board is expected to discuss the issue on Wednesday.

The mayor insists that access to the Clarios factory can be maintained without compromising the channel's capacity.