Gran Alacant Forum

Gran Alacant Forum => General Discussions => Topic started by: BeachLife on October 28, 2015, 20:12.

Title: Boardwalks in place
Post by: BeachLife on October 28, 2015, 20:12.: I am hearing that they are putting in some sort of defences for the dunes - posts and artificial hedging.

Not sure how thats gong to look when its all done.

One concern - I have heard that they are pulling down some of those great boadwalks (that errrr protect the dunes)

Any truth ?
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: bertdove on October 28, 2015, 22:02.: Yes, boardwalk no 2 (our favourite) was being demolished yesterday. Can´t understand the logic - hope it won´t be another debacle like the palms planted on the beach last July (!) and now dead and removed.

Bert
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: John H on October 28, 2015, 23:02.: Hi bertdove, I've never taken note of the numbers, which one is number 2

Regards all

John

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Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: bertdove on October 28, 2015, 23:22.: More or less at the start of the prom, going towards Arenales.

Bert
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: John H on October 28, 2015, 23:37.: Cheers Bert, like you, we tend to use that one....bugger

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Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: BeachLife on October 29, 2015, 08:01.: Its ridiculous and dare I say it typically Spanish - put something in to protect the dunes (the boardwalk) and then demolish it a couple of years later and stick some ugly posts and fake grass in- what a waste of time and money

The boardwalk DID protect the dunes as 99.9% of the people used them.

They might not now !
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: Tony Gillam on October 30, 2015, 07:40.: Look how much timber and rerouting did to the place though. It was complete overkill. All that was required was fencing along the old parking area with a couple of paths through the dunes. It would have been far less visually intrusive and saved bulldozing half of the natural area to make the car park.
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: tony and lesley on November 05, 2015, 17:17.: Went down to the beach today to inspect the dune defences

A little flimsy me thinks, when the big blows come over the next month or so I think they will be gone,

However what do I know.

More people coming to GA and they have now narrowed the beach with a fence as well ,come summer who knows what will happen to that as well.
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: chris and jackie on November 06, 2015, 12:12.: Have they taken up all boardwalks to beach?, do you now just walk over dunes to get to beach?
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: gaveteran on November 06, 2015, 12:59.: This is bizarre. Are they implying people were walking over the dunes? As far as I could see everyone was using the walkways? We must be misreading this somehow? Anyone have a link to any official statement about it?
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: bertdove on November 07, 2015, 13:15.: As far as I can see, only one boardwalk has been partially dismantled. That said, the logic of the whole operation escapes me.

Bert
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: puddy-woo on November 07, 2015, 14:35.: Sitting here now. Weather is glorious. We use boardwalk 3 and this photo shows where the Life bar usually stands. Not sure if this means it wont be up and running next year. Hope it is because its my fav bar. It looks pretty awful.

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Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: Gordon Davies on November 16, 2015, 08:30.: Went to the beech yesterday and what have they done to our beautiful beech!! ruined it. I understand about protecting the wild life but by putting up those ugly wood poles and wire mesh fences plus those flimsy red sticks they have ruined one of the best beeches i have seen
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: BeachLife on November 16, 2015, 13:40.: Is their anyone who is accountable that can explain what is going on ?

Any email addresses I (or we ) can write to ?

You are right Gordon - the best aspect of our area is being compromised
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: John H on November 16, 2015, 14:19.: Isnt it being done to protect the dunes ecosytem?

This obviously takes prescedent over the visual aspect of the dune perimiter.

From what I have read on the subject they are trying to preserve the area and reduce the impact that people are having on it........in other words keeping it as we like it!!

I sit and look at the sea when I'm down there so a bit of fencing wont bother me...........if it did I'd go to the vast and beautiful expanse of beach between Arenalas and Urbanova.

Regards all

John
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: GA Advertiser on November 16, 2015, 14:21.: You could contact Elche Council

Saw this morning that PERHAPS they are re locating the boardwalk
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: BeachLife on November 16, 2015, 15:54.: Quote from: John Hannon on November 16, 2015, 14:19.
Isnt it being done to protect the dunes ecosytem?

Thats just it John - there has been no communication about that plan in any form of media
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: GA Advertiser on November 16, 2015, 16:13.: Has it been in the Spanish Informacion
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: John H on November 16, 2015, 17:04.: Hi, I've read it a few times on various sites, all in Spanish, it does seem to be getting a lot of vocal support, including some who think it should go even further to protect the environment, a few people thought that parts of the beach should be closed for turtles to lay their eggs.
I also read this from mygranalacant.
http://www.mygranalacant.com/m-making-gran-alacant-carabassi-playa-211015/

Regards all

John

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Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: gaveteran on November 16, 2015, 18:39.: Quote from: John Hannon on November 16, 2015, 17:04.
a few people thought that parts of the beach should be closed for turtles to lay their eggs.

Dear God...probably people who live in Madrid. What bloody turtles anyway? We should find out who these tree-huggers are and then suggest we close down their businesses (and the beach is ours!) to protect moths or some such bunk.
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: John H on November 16, 2015, 18:44.: I'd say good on them, we need to start protecting our environment a lot more

Regards all

John

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Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: Gordon Davies on November 16, 2015, 20:43.: Sorry John on this occasion i dissagree with you when i go to the beech i do like the fact it has vast open space thats the beauty of what i call our beach. I do not have a car and like to walk to the beech so i do think it,s a shame they ruin it by putting man made objects up to spoil the veiw
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: John H on November 16, 2015, 21:27.: No probs there Gordon.
If a bit of fencing can help preserve what's there I'll give the fencing my vote 🏼

Regards all

John

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Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: gaveteran on November 17, 2015, 09:42.: I'm split here John. I too certainly don't want to see any building etc on the beach, just natural beauty for all to enjoy. That means us as well, in fact more than, turtles (in my opinion). But just what is this fencing supposed to be protecting? I am not being sarcastic...what is it's function? Surely not to stop people walking on the dunes which as far as I can see, they just don't do in any great numbers...they use the walkways. And besides, they look low enough to just step over, so what's being achieved?
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: John H on November 17, 2015, 10:39.: Ive no idea gaveteran.

I can only assume that the low fencing is there to trap the sand to start new "dune growth".........its a few years since o level geography!!

Regards all

John
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: Gordon Davies on November 17, 2015, 19:27.: Been down on the beech today and they seem to be doing 2 rows of these red twigs and planting some sort of plants between them which i guess will grow quite high
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: bertdove on November 17, 2015, 20:00.: Hope they look after the plants better than they did the palms on the beach!

Bert
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: sunseekers on November 17, 2015, 20:21.: Maybe the twigs are there to protect new planting then, and hopefully when the new planting is established, the protective 'fences' will come down to allow more dunes to form around them. It if helps preserve the beach for people and nature that's got to be a good end result hasn't it. By the way I was disappointed not to see the turtles released on the carabassi this summer, the fact that they are returning to these areas seems to show improving health of the water and shores, if that makes me a tree hugger then I am, we all share this planet and surely there's room for us all.

Hazel
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: John H on November 17, 2015, 20:45.: We can hug a tree together Hazel
100% with you re the turtles, would be an amazing sight

Regards all

John

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Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: gaveteran on November 17, 2015, 21:24.: Things are beginning to make sense. The fence may be just to short term protect new planting. Phew!

As for turtles, I think they are great too. I simply don't want sections of the beach shut to protect the "lesser spotted sand-skipper" :) Turtles would in themselves be a tourist attraction, and business in the area is what I am about.
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: Maricia on December 04, 2015, 12:56.: Hi,

Article published this week in the Costa Blanca News (also an article about Iberdrola being fined for price fixing):

http://www.costa-news.com/latest-news/defending-the-dunes/

BW

Maricia
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: John H on December 07, 2015, 11:27.: Doesn't look that bad

Regards all

John

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Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: Spurs on December 09, 2015, 18:31.: Went down this morning I don't think any Boardwalks have been removed as far as I could tell from the one about 1/2 way to Arenales that splits in 2 the one back to Ga from there is fenced off but it looks like that is for repairs not removal . The little fence looks ok but I'm not sure it will do anything to protect the dunes it doesn't look strong enough
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: BeachLife on January 25, 2016, 01:11.: I had a walk down the new replacement boardwalk this morning. I'm not sure what was achieved by tearing the old one up and replacing it practically in the same place.

I can see what they are trying to do with the planting - you can see the grass in between the reed protecting sticks.

However I'm not sure what the point is - the actual usable beach width is much reduced now I know they want to protect the dunes but I'm still not sure what was happening that needed the protection. It's 2/3 (protected) dunes 1/3 beach now.

I don't think the Parres centre and beach bar will fit now - judge for yourself's:

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160125/048148d00a9ea164f21be4197c016bc1.jpg)

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160125/02863da8d2a6a10f865351d0e014d666.jpg)

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160125/5e74a48c05b73057533774f1fd0fcf3e.jpg)

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160125/959ecc519d520e26608e655175081a21.jpg)

(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160125/ef528b31ac00fc83bf6e375acaaee34c.jpg)

€250k well spent ?

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Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: gaveteran on January 25, 2016, 11:34.: That's about €1 per blade of grass. But those stick fences look pretty valuable I guess. The important thing is that it will reduce the amount of people coming to the beach, great for the lovers and protectors of dune grass, not so good for the local economy.
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: chris and jackie on January 25, 2016, 14:34.: It will be a great loss if the water sports centre/ cafe can not open as we always used it and it brought a lot of people to the area.
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: gaveteran on January 25, 2016, 15:10.: Agreed. but take heart, I am sure Dune Grass lovers will be flocking in to look at it :'(
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: Gemstone on January 25, 2016, 17:11.: I think it looks horrible, can you imagine what the strip of beach that is left will look like in August ? Worse than Benidorm !
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: BeachLife on January 25, 2016, 17:48.: I know there are a lot of us that appreciate the look of the Dunes and they do need to be kept in good condition and free from from footfall - hence the great idea of the boardwalks a few years ago. I just dont get the need for a dune / wilderness "extension" towards the shoreline.

Initially I thought this was a temporary measure - but it looks like very much a long term plan

has anyone got something that I can translate and read as to what they are trying to achieve and the balance the area needs to support the economy and visitors in the summer ?

As Gemstone says - it will be too overcrowded in the summer - people are encouraged down there (by design) with the boardwalks and will have nowhere to go. August will be very difficult.
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: gaveteran on January 25, 2016, 19:11.: Whole thing is very strange. I think someone at the council just tapped into some juicy environmental funds - to our detriment.

Google Earth has historical aerial imagery of those dunes going back to 2002. I just took a quick look. There was no more grass on them then than there is now. Maybe they are trying to return them to a state before 2002? Maybe the Jurassic period? Who knows? Meanwhile they continue to build eyesore properties all over the land just behind...oh but I guess that land didn't have any lesser-spotted dune grass on it. Ludicrous.

Instead of spending a quarter of a million making the beach earn us more money, they spent it taking money away.
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: John H on January 26, 2016, 10:28.: You wonder if Santa Pola where even involved in discussions about the project
Elche council might not have even given the beach lovers of GA a second thought.......
Seems a shame, I'm all for conservation but I don't think they've got the balance quite right here.
Although it wont effect me as GA is out of bounds in July & August, too hot and too busy, for the rest of the year there's ample space to plonk my chair at the seas edge

Regards all

John

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Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: Gordon Davies on January 26, 2016, 14:23.: Is there not some way of letting the powers to be know that the regular visitors and most people who own places are not happy with the fact that we will not be able to use the beach comfortably in the peak periods of the year
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: John H on September 02, 2016, 09:06.: So, what was it like on the beach in July and August?

Did the conservation get in the way of people enjoying themselves or did Elche get the balance right?

Regards all

John

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Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: steve watson on September 02, 2016, 09:25.: John the beach was no different from any other years, the only changes were the blue monkey, my daughter went down a few time and said the guy behind the ramp was rude and would not serve you if he didn't want to , also she notice him short changing a few people, so those who never check was being robbed !!!, she said the others were OK , the inflatables are out sunbed are now run by someone else, the original team are now in los areneles.
Other than that all good

Steve
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: John H on September 02, 2016, 09:34.: Cheers Steve that's brilliant
It all seemed OK to me when we were last there in June.
Back out in a couple of weeks when the masses will have long gone

Regards all

John

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Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: mike and judith on September 02, 2016, 10:49.: Like us, John.
Nice to be in that happy retirement place where you choose when to holiday.
Heat & crowds in August?
No thanks! I'd rather be stuck in a traffic jam in Cornwall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: BeachLife on September 02, 2016, 13:36.: In answer to your question John. I thought it wasnt so good. As in a previous previous post, the beds were very late in coming down in any numbers this year and the Parres centre was not as well laid out and quite congested. The narrowing of the beach due to the planting spread everyone out a lot wider but I guess the only chore there was you had to walk a bit further to your "pitch".

The beach was typically "August busy" lots of families camped out for the day under big Marquees - Even our more preferred choice of Urbanova was packed and unless you were early cars were looking for parking on the main road to Alicante. I think (particularly in August) the Parres Centre end was more packed than usual as the Arenales developments just off the Island and going up the hill behind Arenales are now largely completed with a good few hundred more people walking down to the beach.

We were over again last weekend and Monday and I was expecting it to have thinned out a bit after Sunday but the August holiday exodus must be this weekend over there as it was still as packed as at the beginning of the month

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Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: Maricia on September 02, 2016, 14:42.: Whilst the beaches and coast traffic has been busy, Gran Alacant felt very quiet in August.

BW

Maricia
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: llamedos on September 02, 2016, 14:52.: There's a lot less people around this week than last as a lot of the Spanish have gone back to work, that's according to my Spanish neighbour. I wish I could have taken a whole month or more off from work!.
Title: Re: Boardwalks in place
Post by: John H on September 02, 2016, 19:23.: July and August, just like you Mike, no thank you!!
We stick to our little stretch of the Yorkshire Coast, which is gorgeous, pics attached
Good to hear people have been out enjoying the beaches Rich, we'll be down there in a couple of weeks.....with our own sun beds.

Regards all

John(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160902/eebc08c97e741c911b526b9079f6de55.jpg)(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160902/4851159bf97f80e9ace138e7099158b5.jpg)

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