The APB recommences work on the footbridge that will connect Cala Corb with the Pons quay in the port of Maó
Es Castell Town Council and the APB consider this project essential for the revitalisation of the area
Maó
12/09/2024
In October, the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) will resume construction work on the footbridge that will link Cala Corb and the Pons quay in the port of Maó, overcoming difficulties presented by the cliff that currently impedes passage from one part of the municipality of Es Castell to the other on the seaward side. Today, the APB and the Town Council have expressed their satisfaction with the recommencement of the works.
The works, which began at the end of 2018, were brought to a halt in 2020 when a report was received warning of the impact they would have on a type of coral endemic to the area, Cladocora caespitosa. As a result, a project for the restoration of this species of coral was drawn up, and after a report was received from the competent authorities, the translocation of the coral colonies was approved. The translocation process began in June 2023.
The works will recommence on the first October of this year, and are expected to be completed in six months. The aim is to optimise service conditions for sports boats, as well as to improve access and pedestrian traffic in the port of Maó. Furthermore, the new gangway will provide moorings for around 67 small boats, which will reduce the waiting list for directly managed berths.
The mayor of Es Castell, Lluís Camps, said: “We’re happy, and also grateful, because this work was started two legislatures ago, and had to be stopped over four years ago because of environmental concerns. During that time, the APB carried out a thorough review the project, introducing the technical modifications needed that would make it possible for the works to recommence this coming October. This is good news for residents and visitors to Es Castell, who will be able to enjoy this outstanding area between the Pons quay and Cala Corb next spring and summer”.
Vicent Fullana, the APB delegate for the port of Maó, highlighted the fact that “the APB has always continued to prioritise this project, despite the administrative obstacles we have had to overcome, as the infrastructure represents an overall improvement in the general interest, benefiting pedestrians, boat owners, residents and traders on this part of Menorca's waterfront”.
The project for the construction of pontoons for sports boats in Cala Corb has a final modified budget allocation of 3.4 million euros.
Works brought to a halt
Work on the project for the construction of a pontoon for sports boats began in November 2018, and was awarded to a joint venture between UTE Copcisa and Construcciones Olives. In January 2020, following the need to modify the initial project as a result of the stability of the embankments in the area, the Spanish Institute of Oceanography (IEO) was asked to draw up a report on the current state of the seabed in a section of the Cala Corb area.
In its conclusions, the report warned of the low probability of survival of a type of coral endemic to the area, Cladocora caespitosa, and recommended devising a plan to re-establish these colonies in order to mitigate the impact caused by the works.
Having received the mandatory reports from the Directorate General for the Coast and the Sea and the Directorate General for Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification, the green light was given for the plan for the translocation of the coral, which is also present in other areas of the port, such as the southern part of the Illa del Rei, the passenger quay, Cala Figuera and Cala Fonduco.
The translocation of the coral colonies began in June 2023. The area finally chosen to receive the corals was the northern end of Illa Plana, which lies at a distance of 600 metres from Cala Corb, as they needed to be moved to a zone of the port with similar characteristics.
Related documents
