The Cartagena City Council has launched a comprehensive preparation initiative for its beaches ahead of the busy Easter season. Improvements will span from Isla Plana to La Manga del Mar Menor, focusing on installing access points, footbaths, and new beach furniture. Councillor for the Coastal Area, Gonzalo López, stated that the works also encompass sand maintenance and vegetation clearance to create a better bathing experience for visitors.

Beginning in mid-March, the City Council’s Coastal and Health departments are employing specialist machinery to aerate and level the sand, particularly in popular locations such as Los Urrutias and Playa Paraíso. Along with the sand conditioning, municipal teams have removed reeds and shoreline vegetation, particularly around the Mar Menor, where sand has been repositioned to enhance bathing zones. A budget of one hundred thousand euros has been set aside for renewing beach furniture.

In addition to the current work, an additional three hundred thousand euros is being tendered for further infrastructure improvements, which include new toilet cabins, changing rooms, and wooden walkways. López confirmed that the tender for floating pontoons is underway, with assemblies expected to start soon in areas like Los Nietos and Playa Honda.

Access points have been installed throughout the south bank of the Mar Menor, including shaded areas and footbaths. In larger areas like La Manga, walkways are being extended to two metres wide to improve accessibility. The initiatives aim not only to enhance the bathing experience but also to preserve the coastal environment with strategically placed bins to reduce litter on the sand.