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Costa Del Sol’s Busiest AP-7 Toll Set For Overhaul

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Casares to Manilva toll on AP-7. Credit: Ayto Maniva

Drivers using the AP-7 near Manilva could soon notice major changes after plans were revealed for a full redevelopment of one of the Costa del Sol’s busiest toll plazas, with work expected to take around 14 months.

Manilva AP-7 toll plaza to expand as traffic reaches record levels

Autopista del Sol, the contract holder operating the AP-7, has drawn up a €7.15 million project to increase capacity at the Manilva toll plaza after years of rising traffic volumes. Construction plans prepared by engineering firm CEMOSA say the current layout is no longer able to cope comfortably during peak periods.

Figures included in the project show average daily traffic reached almost 20,000 vehicles in 2024, while August recorded a peak of 29,709 vehicles per day. During busy summer weekends, queues regularly stretch beyond 10 vehicles, with engineers warning delays are expected to become worse unless capacity is increased.

Despite long-running calls from many drivers to remove tolls on this stretch of motorway, the proposal focuses entirely on expanding and modernising the existing facilities rather than scrapping the charges. At least for now. 2027 elections might see some changes.

More toll lanes and smarter traffic management

Once completed, the redesigned plaza will contain 23 physical lanes, although no more than 17 will operate at any one time.

Plans include:

  • Two specific electronic toll (Via-T) lanes
  • Two multi-category lanes
  • Four manual payment booths
  • Nine automatic lanes accepting cash, bank cards and electronic payment
  • Six reversible lanes, up from the current four, allowing operators to react more easily to changing traffic flows

Construction will also add three new toll lanes, with one serving traffic towards Cadiz and two handling vehicles travelling towards Malaga.

Existing automatic lanes will be rearranged, while several payment lanes will be converted to manual operation. Advanced toll lanes currently positioned outside the main canopy will also be incorporated beneath an enlarged roof structure.

Casares-Manilva junction also due for improvements

Attention will not be limited to the toll plaza itself. Engineers also plan to remodel the 655-metre slip road connecting the A-377 with the AP-7, commonly known as the Casares-Manilva link. According to the project, the redesign will bring the junction into line with current road safety standards while improving vehicle movements entering and leaving the motorway.

Current toll booths will disappear and be replaced with prefabricated cabins equipped with upgraded payment technology, air conditioning, raised technical flooring and modern electrical and communications systems.

Drainage beneath the toll plaza, described as being in poor condition, will also be completely renewed. Water supply, fire protection, lighting, electricity, telecommunications and lane technology will all receive upgrades as part of the investment.

Safety upgrades planned across the site

Road safety forms a major part of the redevelopment. Drivers can expect new speed reduction signs, transverse rumble strips before reaching the toll area, variable message boards, extra lighting designed for foggy conditions, upgraded crash barriers, CCTV cameras and completely renewed road markings and traffic signs.

Another part of the scheme involves extending the underpass at kilometre point 11+030 by around 4.5 metres. Prefabricated construction methods are expected to reduce disruption because the route provides regular access to a nearby quarry.

Traffic will continue during the 14-month project

Construction will take place in phases so vehicles can continue using the motorway throughout the works.

Temporary diversions and lane changes will be introduced whenever necessary around the underpass, toll plaza and Casares-Manilva access road, with expropriations kept to a minimum. Land acquisition costs are estimated at just €2,875 because all affected land already lies within Manilva municipality.

Project documentation places the total estimated investment at €7.15 million, with the largest share of spending devoted to toll lane infrastructure, resurfacing work and technical installations.

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Comic-Con Malaga 2026 Reveals 70-Star Guest List

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Kilometric queues outside Comic-Con. Credit: EWN

Comic-Con fans already have plenty to look forward to after San Diego Comic-Con Malaga confirmed its first wave of celebrity guests for the 2026 event, with around 70 special guests already signed up and organisers promising even more announcements before October.

Running from October 1 to 4, 2026, at Malaga’s Fycma exhibition and conference centre, the convention is building on the success of its debut by bringing together film stars, TV favourites, comic creators, gaming legends and pop culture icons under one roof.

Lord of the Rings stars lead Comic-Con Malaga line-up

Among the biggest names confirmed are Elijah Wood and Sean Astin, forever loved by fans for playing Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Joining them will be Karl Urban, best known today for his role in The Boys, while Christopher Lambert, remembered by many for Highlander, is also scheduled to appear.

Marvel fans are in for a treat too, with Deborah Ann Woll, who starred as Karen Page in Daredevil, confirmed for the event.

Organisers have stressed that the guest list remains open, meaning even more celebrities could be announced over the coming weeks.

Comic creators and gaming legends also confirmed

Comic-Con Malaga is about much more than film and television. Comic book fans will be able to meet respected artists including Iban Coello, Glenn Fabry, Arthur Suydam and Natacha Bustos, representing a wide range of styles and publishers.

Gaming buffs are also well catered for. Legendary developer John Romero, one of the creators behind Doom and Wolfenstein 3D, will attend, while Jeremy Crawford, one of the lead designers of Dungeons & Dragons, is also on the programme.

Film producer and director Dean Devlin will use the event to present exclusive previews of upcoming seasons of The Ark and The Librarians: The Next Chapter.

Malaga prepares for another international pop culture celebration

Following a successful debut, San Diego Comic-Con Malaga continues to establish itself as one of Europe’s biggest pop culture events.

Visitors can expect celebrity panels, autograph sessions, exhibitions, gaming experiences, comic book artists, exclusive previews and plenty of cosplay across the four-day convention.

With nearly 70 guests already confirmed and organisers continuing to announce new additions, anticipation is only likely to grow as October approaches.

For the latest guest announcements and ticket information, fans can visit the official San Diego Comic-Con Malaga website: https://sandiegocomicconmalaga.com.

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Pollença’s Spectacular Glow Party

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Pollença’s spectacular glow party lights up the Festes de la Patrona with neon, music and acrobatics

By Lottie Verrier • Updated: 05 Aug 2026 • 13:12 • 2 minutes read

Pollença's spectacular Glow Party lights up the Festes de la Patrona with neon, music and acrobatics

Glow party in Pollenca Credit: Ajuntament de Pollenca

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Horse-Drawn Carriage Overturns In Busy Fuengirola Square

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Fallen horse and cart in Fuengirola. Credit: FsQ FB

A horse-drawn carriage overturned in the heart of Fuengirola on Tuesday afternoon after the horse bolted, leaving two women injured and causing disruption in one of the town’s busiest areas.

Emergency services were called to Plaza de la Constitucion at around 3.30pm after the carriage reportedly crashed into a van and a motorcycle before overturning. Despite the dramatic scenes, the horse escaped without injury.

Horse bolted shortly before crash in Fuengirola

Aftermath of crash.
Aftermath of crash.

Initial reports indicate the horse first began trotting unusually near Plaza Reyes Catolicos before becoming uncontrollable a short distance later. According to emergency services, the carriage hit a barrier before crossing into the opposite lane, where it collided with a van of some kind and a motorcycle waiting at traffic lights.

Witnesses reported seeing the carriage overturn in Plaza de la Constitucion, bringing traffic to a standstill as police and paramedics rushed to the scene.

Local police have not yet explained what caused the horse to bolt, and no official cause has been released.

Carriage driver taken to Hospital Costa del Sol

Emergency crews treated two women following the collision. The carriage driver suffered a blow to the head and an ankle injury but managed to climb out of the overturned carriage without assistance. Paramedics later transferred the driver by ambulance to Hospital Costa del Sol in Marbella for further assessment. The motorcyclist escaped with minor injuries after suffering a blow to the ankle during the collision.

Local police and healthcare workers were still at the scene while traffic was managed and the damaged carriage removed.

Horse escaped unhurt despite dramatic collision

Remarkably, the horse was reported to be uninjured despite the force of the crash. Images from the scene showed the overturned carriage lying in the roadway as emergency services worked around the vehicle. Initial reports described the other vehicle as a lorry, while local television referred to it as a delivery van. Neither description changes the sequence of events confirmed by emergency services, which state the carriage collided with a commercial vehicle before overturning.

No damage figures have been released, and there has been no official explanation yet for why the horse bolted.

The horse debate in Fuengirola reopens

Fuengirola Town Hall had not issued a public statement on the incident by Tuesday evening, and there has been no announcement of any review of horse-drawn carriage regulations or safety measures in the town, but this incident no doubt reopen the debate over tourist rides by horse in the town.

Horse-drawn carriages remain a familiar sight during Fuengirola’s equestrian celebrations and local festivities, with the town hosting its annual ‘Fuengirola A Caballo’ events in the same central streets used by residents and visitors throughout the year. Animal rights activists are already calling for the instant abolition of the tourist custom. Council leaders must also be asking themselves now if Fuengirola has become far too crowded and full of traffic for horses, especially considering public safety. Mayor Ana Mula acted decisively following the horrific car crash in Torreblanca last year by having installed multiple speed impediments. What changes are to come after this accident are yet to be seen.

Emergency services, including 112 Andalucia, health workers and local police, attended the incident. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding the horse bolting are continuing, although no official cause has yet been identified.

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