Around 150 residents gathered in Orihuela Costa on Saturday to call for urgent solutions for Barranco Rubio beach and the restoration of proper access. The protest, organised by local residents’ associations, focused on broken lifts linking the upper part of the urbanisation with the beach, affecting older people, families and those with reduced mobility. Demonstrators also complained of stagnant water, bad smells and poor maintenance.

More than 500 people have signed a petition backing the demands. On Thursday, the PSOE will present a motion in the council chamber criticising the PP and Vox governing team for what it describes as repeated failures to deliver promised investments and services in Orihuela Costa.

The motion highlights unspent funds in the 2024 municipal budget and raises concerns about waste collection, deteriorating containers and delayed infrastructure projects. It also calls for a report within three months on the status of pending actions and for stronger leadership in managing coastal affairs.

Meanwhile, the Cambiemos party has warned that local schools remain overcrowded, with an estimated shortfall of around 600 places. It says maintenance issues, including a broken boiler at CEIP Playas de Orihuela, remain unresolved and has urged the council to complete urgent works before the new school term begins in September.