Hundreds of residents are taking to the streets of Los Cristianos this Sunday to protest against proposed plans to expand and reorganise the town’s port, with campaigners describing key parts of the project as an “aberration” and a threat to both the local environment and quality of life.

The demonstration, organised by the Platform in Defence of Los Cristianos, which brings together around a dozen social, cultural and business organisations, will begin at 11:00am outside the Cultural Centre before making its way through the town’s main streets. The march will end at Plaza de La Pescadora, where organisers will read a manifesto in defence of Los Cristianos Bay.

At the heart of the opposition is a proposed reorganisation plan by the Port Authority, which includes the construction of a multi-storey parking facility on the current port car park site. Campaigners claim the structure would rise three storeys above ground level, plus a roof deck.

Jorge Bello, president of the Platform in Defence of Los Cristianos, told local media that the proposal is a “monstrosity” and an “assault on common sense”.

“How can anyone think it is acceptable to build something like that in such a sensitive area?” he asked.

Support for Some Improvements

Despite their opposition to parts of the project, campaigners insist they are not against all changes to the port.

The platform says it has no objections to relocating the passenger terminal closer to the Casa del Mar building, nor to reinforcement work on part of the existing breakwater.

“It’s true that the port needs modernisation and reorganisation,” Bello said. “But we feel we have been misled. We were told our opinions would be taken into account, and that simply hasn’t happened.”

Concerns Over Tourist Pontoon

Another proposal causing concern is a separate private-sector initiative to install a floating pontoon extending from the old harbour breakwater for tourist boats.

According to Bello, a similar concept was previously considered for Maritime Rescue and Guardia Civil vessels, but using the structure for tourist traffic so close to the beach is now viewed by campaigners as “madness”.

Alternative Solutions Proposed

Rather than expanding infrastructure, the platform argues that congestion at the port and on the TF-1 motorway could be reduced through operational changes that would require little or no investment.

The group is calling for ferry operators to stagger their departure and arrival times to reduce traffic bottlenecks.

It is also urging authorities to move freight operations away from Los Cristianos and instead route cargo through the ports of Santa Cruz and Granadilla before shipping goods directly to La Gomera, La Palma and El Hierro.

Campaigners argue this would reduce heavy traffic on the TF-1, lower transport costs, cut carbon emissions and minimise the impact of maritime routes on protected whale and dolphin habitats.

Fears for the Future of the Bay

The platform says increasing pressure on Los Cristianos Bay is already having visible consequences.

Bello pointed to the recent loss of the beach’s Blue Flag status as a warning sign and claimed that, without action, bathing water quality could face further challenges in the years ahead.

“Los Cristianos and Arona depend on tourism,” he said. “If we lose our beach, we lose one of our greatest attractions.”

Sunday’s demonstration is expected to become one of the largest public protests seen in the town in recent years and will serve as a key test of local opinion on the future development of one of Tenerife’s busiest ports.