Lorraine Williamson
For decades, the invisible line separating Torremolinos and Benalmádena has caused more than a few headaches for residents in the middle of it. The Leala neighbourhood sits directly on that municipal border, where questions of responsibility are often left unanswered. Who maintains the roads? Who deals with traffic management?
The lack of clarity has delayed much-needed improvements, leaving locals stuck in jams and facing daily risks.
A neighbourhood caught in the middle
Leala is more than just a sleepy residential enclave. It has become a busy cut-through for commuters heading along the Costa del Sol. At peak hours, its narrow streets struggle to cope with the sheer volume of cars. Residents have long complained about bottlenecks, poor signage, and dangerous driving conditions. For years, the district’s position on the dividing line has allowed the problem to slip through the cracks.
Cooperation replaces stalemate
Now, in a rare show of unity, the councils of Torremolinos and Benalmádena are working side by side to end the stalemate. The two municipalities have drawn up plans for a new access road that would relieve congestion, improve safety, and provide clearer connections in and out of Leala. Importantly, both have approached the Junta de Andalucía for backing, signalling a coordinated effort rather than the piecemeal fixes of the past.
Residents demand clarity and safety
For local families, the prospect of a new road is more than just an infrastructure upgrade. It represents long-overdue recognition of their daily frustrations. Easier access will also prove crucial for emergency services, which currently face delays navigating the cramped streets. Both councils say they will consult directly with residents during the design phase, a promise welcomed in a community that often feels overlooked.
Beyond Leala: a model for cross-border planning?
The Leala project is about more than easing traffic. It could mark a turning point in how neighbouring Costa del Sol municipalities handle borderland issues. Shared responsibility has too often meant no responsibility. By presenting a united front to the Junta, Torremolinos and Benalmádena are signalling a willingness to treat the grey zone between them as common ground rather than contested territory.
Safer streets
If approved, work on the new access is expected to start once funding and design are finalised. For Leala, it would mean safer streets, less congestion, and long-awaited clarity over who takes charge. For the wider coast, it may serve as a reminder that cooperation—rather than rivalry—remains the most effective way to tackle the region’s growing urban challenges.
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