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ARCHIVED - Vehicle access to Cabo de Gata natural park and beaches in Almeria to be restricted over the summer season
The number of vehicles allowed into the area west of Níjar’s San José district and between the Genoveses sandy area and Cala Carbón in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar will be limited
A total of 193,000 members of the public travelled to the beaches of the natural park in Almeria using 58,671 private cars last year, 21,055 of the vehicles in August alone, while between 16 July and 6 September just 12,472 visitors arrived by bus.
The regional authorities have decided to restrict access to the natural beaches located west of Níjar’s San José district and between the Genoveses sandy area and Cala Carbón in the Cabo de Gata-Níjar natural park (Almería) to all unauthorised motor vehicles between 12 June and 26 September.
The notice was published in the Andalusian state bulletin on Tuesday (6 April), and also limits the number of canoes, kayaks and similar non-motorised craft that may gather in bays to five. Larger groups will have to obtain authorisation in advance, and the permits will include conditions to guarantee the preservation of the coastal ecosystem.
The restrictions aim to protect the natural beaches within the natural park, which is considered to be of great ecological, geological and scenic value and one of the most privileged spots on the Mediterranean coastline.
The crowds of visitors and vehicles that gather in the nature spots in the summer not only harm the coastal ecosystem but also cause traffic jams which mean that safety conditions and services cannot be guaranteed in case of emergencies such as forest fires or accidents, the authorities have explained, justifying their decision to limit the number of vehicles and visitors which will be allowed into the natural park during peak weeks.
