According to the Residents Association, Unidos por la Costa, the long-awaited reopening of the Aguamarina Walkway is progressing, though not without challenges.
As previously reported, the expropriation process for the affected land was officially approved during the Municipal Plenary session held on December 1, 2023. This decision marked a crucial step in advancing the project, which aims to enhance the coastal area and provide better access to the seafront for residents and visitors.
Since the approval, the Council has been actively negotiating with the property owners in the Bella Vista urbanisation, who are impacted by the expropriation, seeking to reach amicable agreements. However, despite continuous efforts, these negotiations have not been successful, prompting the local government to move forward with the official expropriation process.
To facilitate this, the City Council allocated a specific budget of €600,000 in its 2024 financial plan to cover the costs associated with the acquisition of the required properties.
At this stage, the process is awaiting a crucial decision from the Provincial Jury on Forced Expropriation of Alicante, which will determine the final compensation amount to be paid by the City Council to the affected landowners. This independent body is responsible for assessing the value of the properties and ensuring that fair compensation is provided in accordance with legal regulations.
Once the official valuation is set and the final amount is established, the City Council will proceed with depositing the funds in court, which will grant them legal possession of the expropriated land. This step will allow the local authorities to begin the redevelopment process, with the ultimate goal of reopening the Aguamarina Walkway to the public as soon as possible.
The restoration of the walkway is expected to significantly improve accessibility along the seafront, creating a more enjoyable and safer environment for pedestrians, cyclists, and tourists. Local officials remain optimistic that despite the challenges, the project will move forward without further delays, bringing long-term benefits to the community.
