There’s been official recognition and thanks for the public spirited action taken by four ex-pats recently when they saw hundreds of plastic bags being blown towards to sea from La Mata market.
The thanks came last week from former Torrevieja mayor and deputy minister for Tourism for Alicante Province, Eduardo Dolan.
All but one of the market stall holders had gone, leaving hundreds of plastic bags from the items sold from the stalls lying on the road. Not one council refuse cart or employee was to be seen. The four, Eileen and Tony Mayes and Kate and Pete Goodger were in a nearby seafront cafe and saw a whirlwind of plastic bags heading across the sand and towards the sea.
The four got busy gathering up the bags and managed to fill three large plastic sacks. Sadly there were many bags they couldn’t stop getting into the sea. Also sadly, dozens of passers by did not bother to join in the clean up.
Eduardo said he would be asking searching questions in council as to why no council workers were on hand at the end of the market to clean up the road and remove the litter.
“It is not good enough that the road was left unattended, especially as it is so close to the sea. We all have a responsibility to clean up and ensure the sea does not get polluted. The market traders pay a fee for the road to be cleaned after the market, so why isn’t it being done?”
Tony Mayes commented: “Just a few miles out from La Mata are extensive fish farms. It’s crazy to let all this plastic get into the sea which will not only harm the environment but damage the fish stocks.
He added: “The Spanish have a beautiful country and it’s sad to see it being damaged by litter everywhere, and also by ridiculous huge advertising hoardings, by graffiti and by abandoned buildings left to turn into ruins.”
Tony and Eileen live just off the market road in Orihuela Costa. Each week immediately after traders’ vehicles leave, Orihuela council cleaning staff get to work removing litter and spraying the road. Work apparently sadly lacking in Torrevieja-administered La Mata.
