Residents of Portocolom are asking for the removal of the concrete road and the restoration of the Arenal beach and dunes.

PortocolónResidents of Portocolom have once again demanded the removal of the concrete and asphalt road that crosses Arenal Gran and Arenal Petit beaches, arguing that this infrastructure prevents the natural recovery of the beach and the dune system. According to the residents, the asphalt causes rainwater to wash sand into the sea, covering and suffocating the Posidonia seagrass meadows, which are essential for generating and maintaining clean sand and water. The residents recall that the Felanitx City Council had approved a regeneration project for the green area using Next Generation funds, which envisioned replacing the road with a promenade with a wooden walkway. However, much of the project has not been completed: a concrete road has been left in place, occupying more than half of the beach and blocking the natural formation of the dunes and the vegetation typical of the dune system. According to sources from the Salvem Portocolom platform and residents consulted, the road is partially maintained to allow access to the beach and adjacent services, although alternatives exist. "They could move the beach bar to a nearby esplanade with more space and tables, without affecting the sand or the dune system. We're only asking that the road that crosses the sand be removed and that the beach be for everyone again," they explain. The residents also complain that the reforestation of the dune area has been done with pine trees, instead of the native vegetation that helps consolidate the dune and retain the sand. This, they say, worsens erosion and hinders the recovery of the beach as a public space. The platform has called on citizens to get involved and pressure the City Council to prioritize the general interest and environmental protection over private interests, such as those of the beach bar. They also demand that the road that crosses the beach be completely removed and that only service and goods vehicles be allowed to pass. Through their Instagram account, @salvemportocolom He showed images of the current state of the beach and the road, and insisted that recovering the sand, the dunes and the shade of the tamarind trees is fundamental to guaranteeing a quality public space and protecting the landscape and tourist value of Portocolom.