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It's been a record-breakingly dull, wet and windy March in Alicante province which has taken its toll on coastal towns such as Orihuela where storms have left the sands strewn with seaweed and debris.

 

And with Easter Week fast approaching, Orihuela's 17km stretch of coastline is undergoing an overhaul to get the beaches in tip top condition ahead of the public holidays.

 

Work has begun on the various beaches along the Costa, with special emphasis on Playa La Caleta de Cabo Roig, which has been most affected by the outflow of seaweed after the recent coastal phenomena.

 

A backhoe loader has been drafted in to move debris which is then transported to a special treatment plant.

 

Also read: Beachgoers in Javea will have to pay to park at coves this summer

 

Councillor for Street Cleaning, Dámaso Aparicio, explained: "The work was essential after the recent storms which coincided with the end of the winter period in which the remains of posidonia have been regenerating our excellent sandy beaches. We want the beaches to be free of posidonia and clean in the run up to Easter."

 

 

The removal of seaweed is not carried out earlier in the year to prevent the regression of the beaches and reduce the loss of sand.

 

Instead, the seaweed is piled on the beach for drying, an activity authorised and recommended by the Directorate General for Coasts to avoid excessive loss of sand.

 

"The Posidonia Oceanica meadows, a species endemic to the shallow waters of the Mediterranean Sea, are synonymous with good water quality, well oxygenated and free of pollution. However, now we are beginning to remove and manage them," added the Town Hall.

 

At the same time, work is being carried out to clear mounds of sand that accumulated along the coastline and promenade during Celia and subsequent storms.

 

When this is finished, the promenades will be washed down and the beach sand will be industrially sieved "to ensure that the beaches and promenades are in the best possible condition for Easter".

 

Image: Ayuntamiento de Orihuela