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Date Published: 17/04/2023

ARCHIVED - Los Nietos locals slam the state of beach ahead of summer season

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The 2.7km stretch of sand at the southern end of the Mar Menor is riddled with fleas and ticks and the water is dirty, according to residents

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Los Nietos locals slam the state of beach ahead of summer season

Los Nietos residents are up in arms over the foul state of the beach and promenade, claiming the stretch of sand is flea- and tick-ridden and the water isn't fit to bathe in.

The spring season is well underway and the summer months just around the corner, but locals claim the 2.7km beach at the southern end of the Mar Menor is far from ready for an influx of tourists, let alone the families that live nearby.

"It is a disgrace the state Los Nietos is in. You can't go in the water and the shore is in a shameful state. We have a flea and tick problem and you can't even bathe. Even the children can't play in the sand. What do we do? Now there are even plastic boxes in the sea," blasted president of AAVV Los Nietos residents' association, Nani Vergara.

To make matters worse, the local authorities have dragged their heels carrying out essential maintenance and cleaning tasks.

"The sand removal and biomass removal works have been delayed. The (council) came only a week before the deadline for moving the sand. It is outrageous," added Vergara.

As a result, seaweed and grimy marine grass has become an eyesore, particularly near the Club Náutico, argue locals who have shared their frustration on social networks, claiming they feel "impotent" in the face of what they fear will be "another summer with beaches in a bad state".

"For the administrations, we are still their last priority. We belong to a council dependent on Cartagena, although we feel we are a village. If we had our own town hall, our lives would be more dignified," argued the residents' spokesperson.

"This time last year, we communicated the neglect we experienced from all administrations, local, regional and state in Los Nietos. Unfortunately, we are still in the same position. We are still waiting for a bench to be fixed at a park that was renovated in December. It's very sad."

Los Nietos is home to about 1,500 people throughout the year, a population that multiplies during the summer. It's not surprising then that, just a couple months before the summer season, the state of the beach, promenade and area around the popular yacht club are of great concern.

"The Yacht Club has been without a concession for 11 years. The Autonomous Community, which is responsible for the land, has not cleaned or maintained the waters of the Mar Menor. A few days ago they removed the green ova, but the rest of the beach is still in a deplorable state. Neither the Club nor the town deserves this image of degradation," fumed the association president.

Read also: Something fishy—Spain warns tourists about increase of stinging sea creatures

Image: AAVV Los Nietos

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