Ministry handed petition against Andratx port reform

LEADING members of the Majorcan Socialist Party (PSM) on Andratx town council delivered a petition to the regional ministry of Public Works in Palma yesterday, demanding that a temporary halt be called to the reform work being planned in the Port of Andratx.

The petition, backed up with 700 signatures was brought to Palma by Andratx council PSM members Joan Manera and Biel Puigserver. The PSM are not only rejecting the need to modify the Port of Andratx as they feel it will destroy the cultural heritage of the port along with its landscape, but are also claiming that it is “incongruous” to undertake any work at the moment prior to the government's report being issued on the needs of the area. The report will consider the reallocation of moorings and the possible move of the fishermen's wharf to another jetty.

The PSM is by no means wholeheartedly supported by other political parties on Andratx Town Council. Francesc Femenias, a previous mayor of Andratx and a member of the National Socialists on the Council, has made it very clear that he wants the modernisation works to go ahead as soon as possible. He was a signatory to a separate petition organised by the Port Andratx traders association in favour of the transfer of the fishing trawlers to a separate jetty.

The Majorcan Unionist Party (UM) were the original proposers of the move along with the government's Ports management department, so the only group supporting the PSM in their bid to stop the reform in Andratx is the Partido Popular.

Businesses in the port, however, are referring to the plans to reconvert the seafront in the port as “first class.” Traders Association President Jaime Vich had said in response to the PSM rejection of the scheme that the remodelling programme had been instigated after an endless stream of calls for positive change. Vich claimed that what he saw as a move to “tidy up” and “make the most of” the seafron area in the port will mean a more attractive and spacious area to walk in for passers-by, better profitability for already-existing businesses which are currently “pushed into a corner” by cars and lorries. He added that if the fishermen are moved to their own jetty, they will be able to make better use of their own resources. “We have the right to try and improve our businesses,” Vich had claimed. He said that the space which the new seafront design will free up for the public will give the port a more European look, and will better accommodate tourism in the area.

Independent visitors to the Port of Andratx have commented, however, that the sight of the fishing fleet bringing in its catches surrounded by flocks of gulls provides pleasure to thousands and that it is an uplifting change from viewing expensive boutiques and restaurants.