Vega Baja Forum Highlights Toll Debates and Infrastructure Plans
Heat in Vega Baja centered on the ongoing commitment to reconsider toll reductions on major routes. In Torrevieja, residents gathered at a forum organized to share information about the region’s future. The regional government leader, a member of the PSPV-PSOE coalition, indicated that a new subsidy for desalinated water used in irrigation would be approved soon, a pledge made since January. The subsidy is expected to bring the price per cubic meter close to the rate irrigators currently pay for water transferred from the Tagus-Segura system, around 0.27 euros.
Entrepreneurs present at the Vega Baja Forum, hosted at the Ateneo Casino in Orihuela, spoke about the importance of revitalizing infrastructure to sustain residential tourism, the region’s economic engine. They emphasized the need for long-promised improvements that would bolster mobility and structure the territory. The focus extended to ensuring safety and benefit for both visitors and local residents, including discussions about CV-95 between Torrevieja and Orihuela and potential alternatives for the Nacional 332 corridor that could pass through Torrevieja. Debates also touched on CV-91 and coastal restoration projects, with a call for more effective management of the Segura river mouth by the CHS, Guardamar riverbed, and the overall coastline. Some attendees described proposals to segment the CV-95 into sections as a temporary approach, noting that the only practical route into Orihuela Costa from inland areas was through the urban streets of Torrevieja.
The forum underscored the importance of advancing negotiations to secure consensus among affected municipalities. Speakers pointed out that environmental impact studies should be addressed in a staged fashion, bidding on projects by section to accelerate development and reduce bottlenecks.
Representatives of the business community, including Francisco Gomez, Antonio Soria, and Juan Ramon Gil, highlighted capacity challenges at gas stations, the slow pace of sewage treatment improvements, and the potential consequences for tourism if these issues are not tackled promptly. They cited the Orihuela Costa water treatment plant as a case study, warning of possible disruptions ten years after the initial project approval if delays persist.
The group reflected on the broader regional narrative, with key leaders like Ximo Puig participating in discussions about the south Valencian Community. They stressed that the area needs reliable rail and road links to connect the coast with inland towns and the airport, as well as better management of coastal zones. The possibility of emergency dredging at the mouth of the old Segura channel was mentioned, with commitments to fund coastal operations in collaboration with CHS.
Attendees acknowledged Puig’s visibility in Vega Baja over his eight-year tenure and noted the region’s perception of being overlooked. Yet they remained focused on tangible infrastructure, including the long-discussed rail connection that would better link the coast to inland areas and to the northern parts of the community. The discussions also touched on the political signal sent by tram projects intended to improve connections, with leaders presenting data meant to illustrate the region’s potential and the government’s renewed emphasis on Vega Baja as a priority within the community. The narrative suggested a shift toward a more unified Valencian strategy, aiming to bridge the perceived divides between Vega Baja and the rest of the Valencian Community.
Valencia
Puig indicated that two tram projects connecting key points will be defined in the months ahead. He framed the discussion in terms of the region’s identity, noting that Vega Baja residents already feel a strong sense of belonging to both Spain and the Valencian Community. He described a surge in regional investment and highlighted a historical milestone when Vega Baja faced a turning point in its relationship with the wider community. Puig cited substantial investments and policy measures that he believes have reshaped the region’s trajectory, insisting that the area has the potential to transform a once fragile dynamic into a robust partnership across Valencia and beyond.
As the electoral period neared, Puig tempered expectations, acknowledging that delivering every promise would require time and honesty. He urged residents to stay grounded, emphasizing realism while reaffirming a commitment to progress and transparency. The discussions at Vega Baja reflected a broader political effort to align local needs with regional strategy, aiming to boost economic resilience, improve mobility, and strengthen the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.