Mijas calls for full enclosure of A-7 footbridges after repeated incidents

Mijas town hall has renewed its call for stronger protection on pedestrian bridges over the A-7 after repeated incidents on the motorway stretch that runs through the municipality.

In its latest communication, the council asked Spain’s Directorate-General for Roads, to fully enclose the elevated footbridges crossing the A-7 in Mijas. The aim, to reduce the risk of people falling onto the carriageway after a repeated pattern of incidents, the latest of which happened on March 31.

Temporary measures have been requested until permanent works are put in place

The town hall is calling for an immediate and comprehensive technical assessment of all pedestrian bridges on this section, specifically from exit 1014 to kilometre 1029. It says the review should focus on preventing people from falling onto the motorway. Among the options put forward are full enclosure of the structures, higher barriers and other protective solutions that would achieve the same result. The council also wants temporary measures introduced while permanent works are processed and carried out.

The area concerned includes the Las Lagunas section of Mijas, near the Fuengirola boundary and on the route towards Marbella. It is one of the busiest parts of the motorway, used daily by residents, commuters and visitors, meaning any incident can quickly create disruption as well as serious safety concerns.

The most recent fatal incident happened on Tuesday March 31, when a person died after falling from a pedestrian bridge over the A-7 at Las Lagunas. Emergency services were called shortly before 11am and traffic restrictions were introduced. 

The issue has been a concern for years following number of incidents

A day earlier, on Monday March 30, emergency services responded to a separate suicide attempt alert in the same area. Reports said a 60-year-old man received medical attention before being transferred to Malaga’s Clinico Universitario Hospital.

Mijas said it had already raised the issue on March 11, before the latest fatal incident, when it sent a formal letter to the state highways unit in Malaga together with a report from Local Police. That report specifically requested a suicide prevention system based on fully enclosing the elevated pedestrian bridges along the affected stretch. Repeated incidents on this type of public infrastructure have consequences not only for the people directly involved and their families, but also for road safety, passing drivers and the emergency teams called to the scene.

The issue has been a source of local concern for years following other previous incidents. Support and help is available for anyone struggling.