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Mijas demands urgent repairs to 17 A-7 footbridges over safety fears

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Rusting railings and falling concrete have prompted the council to renew its appeal to Spain’s Transport Ministry, claiming it has been unable to carry out repairs itself.

Mijas Council has demanded urgent repairs to all 17 pedestrian footbridges crossing the A-7 motorway within the municipality, warning that deteriorating railings, corroded fixings and falling concrete could endanger pedestrians and passing traffic.

The council renewed its request to Spain’s Ministry of Transport on Wednesday, October 7, following complaints about the condition of the structures, including several inspected by local councillors in La Cala de Mijas.

Infrastructure councillor Juan Jose Torres said the bridges showed signs of prolonged neglect, with rusted metal railings, peeling paintwork and sections of concrete breaking away. Debris falling from the structures could pose a danger to vehicles travelling along the busy coastal motorway, he warned.

Council says it cannot carry out repairs

Mijas Council cannot legally carry out repair works on the bridges as they fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport in Spain as they form part of the A7 motorway structure, which is legally property of the state.

Torres said the council had repeatedly contacted the Ministry of Transport to request repairs but had received no response. A further formal request covering all 17 bridges was due to be sent on October 7.

The councillor also claimed the local authority risked state sanctions if it attempted to carry out repairs without the necessary authorisation.

This leaves the council calling for urgent action while claiming it cannot independently address the deterioration affecting the crossings.

Beach access among the concerns

The condition of the footbridges is also a concern for residents and visitors who use them to cross the A-7 and reach coastal areas. Playas councillor Daniel Gomez said years of insufficient maintenance had left some sections of railing so badly corroded that replacing entire sections could be necessary, rather than simply patching up the damage.

The bridges provide important links between residential areas, local facilities and the coast, making their condition a practical safety issue for people living in and visiting Mijas Costa.

Will the bridges be repaired?

The council’s latest demand follows previous calls for improvements to pedestrian bridges along this stretch of the A-7. However, it has not announced a repair timetable agreed with the Ministry. The allegations of deterioration have not been accompanied by a publicly available independent engineering assessment establishing whether any of the 17 bridges have structural weaknesses affecting their overall stability.

Residents will now be looking for a response from the Ministry and details of when inspections and repairs might take place.

For the time being, Mijas Council is insisting that the state authority responsible for the structures must act to address the reported defects and ensure the crossings can be used safely.

AECC Fundraising Event

Marea Rosa: Mijas walk puts breast cancer care in focus

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Mijas and Fuengirola joined forces on Saturday, October 17, for the Marea Rosa walk, bringing residents together to support women affected by breast cancer and raise awareness of the disease.

Ana Mata was among those present at the start of the walk at the Gran Parque de Mijas, lending her support to the event as participants gathered for the morning’s activities.

Organised by the local branches of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC), the walk centred on supporting patients and their families, while calling for greater awareness, continued research and more compassionate care.

More than 38,000 diagnoses expected in Spain

An address at the start of the event highlighted the scale of breast cancer in Spain. More than 38,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with the disease during 2026, while an estimated 516,000 women are currently living with a breast cancer diagnosis, according to figures cited in the speech.

Behind every diagnosis is a person with individual circumstances, concerns and needs, the address stressed. Access to clear information, healthcare professionals who have time to listen and support through the physical and emotional challenges of the disease were among the priorities raised.

Breast cancer can affect far more than physical health, with potential consequences for emotional wellbeing, body image, family life, relationships and employment. The need for care that extends beyond medical treatment was a central message.

AECC campaign puts patients first

The walk also supported the AECC’s “Nos lo tomamos a pecho campaign”, which features breast cancer patients and seeks to give women and their families a stronger voice in decisions about their care.

The Spanish slogan carries a double meaning: “pecho” means breast, while the expression “tomarse algo a pecho” conveys “taking something to heart”. The campaign calls for patients’ experiences to be heard and taken into account, as well as continued investment in research and fair access to early detection, reliable information and support services.

Organisers’ message was that breast cancer care should recognise each woman’s individual needs and help ensure that nobody has to face the impact of the disease alone.

The Marea Rosa brought that message into the heart of the local community, with residents coming together to show their support for those affected by breast cancer.

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Locals Alert Speed Traps Increasing In Alhaurin De La Torre

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Drivers in Alhaurin de la Torre are being warned of a new fixed speed camera roughly 200 metres from the Rotonda del Encuentro, in the direction of the prison.

The alert comes from the local social-media account Fuengirolasequeja, which says that the warning sign is already up on the roundabout itself. The Rotonda del Encuentro, on Avenida Ciudad de Ceuta, is the junction most people know as the one next to the Shell service station.

The appearance of the camera has prompted discussion about who installed it. Several recent fixed units in the area, including the one on the A-404 between Alhaurin el Grande and Coin near Miralmonte, and others on the A-7 near Puerto Banus, share a similar design and have been linked to the DGT’s wider programme of new cinemómetros on secondary roads. The Rotonda del Encuentro lies on the A-404, a regional road that already appears on DGT mobile-radar maps.

Alhaurin de la Torre’s own council has installed a number of municipal cameras in recent years (on Avenida de las Americas, Europa, Democracia, Ceuta and elsewhere), typically TRUCAM systems operated by the Policia Local. The newly reported unit has not been confirmed by either the Ayuntamiento or the DGT.

Social-media reaction has been hugely sceptical. Commenters have accused the authorities of prioritising revenue, joked about the copper content of the equipment (as a light-hearted hint to thieves), and argued that money would be better spent repairing roads and adding cycle lanes. Others simply listed copious amounts of other speed cameras already operating nearby (near the Mercadona roundabout, past the technology park towards Malaga and Cartama, etc.). A smaller number of responses defended enforcement, saying careful drivers have nothing to fear.

No official statement has yet confirmed the exact location, operator or activation date. Drivers using the Rotonda del Encuentro and the road towards the prison are advised to watch for the warning sign and observe the posted limit.

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Mijas Mayor Praises British Expats At Royal British Legion March

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Legion begins its march. Credit: EWN

Mijas mayor Ana Mata has praised the British expat community for its contribution to local charities and community life during the annual Royal British Legion march in La Cala de Mijas on Saturday, October 17.

Ana Mata and Mijas council salute Brits

The procession set off from Butibamba Park before winding its way through La Cala, travelling down the Avenida and continuing to El Torreón, where the event brought attention to the Legion’s work supporting veterans and remembering those who have served in the Armed Forces.

The march marked the launch of this year’s Poppy Appeal, the annual fundraising campaign that helps the Royal British Legion provide support to serving and former military personnel and their families.

Mijas mayor praises British community

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Mata attended the event and spoke warmly about the importance of British residents to Mijas, highlighting the tireless work many do to support charities and help people in the local community.

She described the British expat community as special to the municipality, recognising the contribution its members make through fundraising, volunteering and other charitable activities.
Her comments underlined the close links between international residents and the wider community in Mijas, where British residents have long played an active role in local social and charitable initiatives.

Royal British Legion ensures veterans are remembered

The mayor also commended the Royal British Legion for its work supporting veterans and ensuring their service and sacrifices are never forgotten. The organisation provides practical and financial assistance to members of the Armed Forces community, including veterans and their families. Its annual Poppy Appeal helps fund this work, while the poppy itself remains a widely recognised symbol of remembrance.

Ana Mata and Mario Bravo salute British Legion

The La Cala march offered an opportunity for residents and visitors to show their support for the appeal and recognise the contribution of military personnel, past and present.

Poppy Appeal launches ahead of Remembrance Sunday

The campaign comes ahead of Remembrance Sunday, which will be observed across the UK and by British communities overseas in November. Money raised through the appeal helps the Royal British Legion continue its welfare work, supporting people who have served their country and those affected by their service.

For the British community in Mijas, Saturday’s event was also a chance to celebrate its relationship with the municipality and demonstrate the continuing importance of remembrance, volunteering and charitable work on the Costa del Sol.

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