The location of the car park and access to Cala Pada beach has caused concern among some local business owners, who complain that there is inadequate infrastructure to serve visitors and workers in this residential tourist area. The narrowness of the main street, which is one-way and has no pavement on one side, exacerbates the problem and makes access to the beach difficult.
Pepe, owner of the restaurant Brisa de la Mar, summarises the situation with indignation: «There is no proper access, there are no public car parks, and the surrounding land has been abandoned for years». The restaurant, with more than two decades of history, maintains a private car park that it regulates on its own to avoid chaos. "We control it ourselves with a worker, because otherwise it would be unviable. We have done this so that there is a minimum of order and we can offer a good service to our customers", he explains.
The problem has worsened due to the growth in tourism in the area and the lack of an institutional response. «More than 1,200 people come here from the Tui Magic Life resort alone, plus hotel workers, yet nobody has set up a proper car park, even though the site is abandoned. Neither the authorities nor the landowners have done anything."
The council, however, assures us that they are taking action. The Town Hall has reported that it is working to create a parking space for users in this area, with the aim of facilitating access to Cala Pada. They also add that, some 200 metres away, there is already a space available for parking «without any difficulty».
Local business owners say this solution is insufficient. «What about a family with children, an elderly person, or someone in a wheelchair who has to walk 200 metres without a pavement?» asks Marilina, owner of the Souvenir shop.