Motril Tourist Information Costa Tropical
Safe Tourist Information?
What I’m about to tell you may kill you or at least put you in hospital!
Newly opened in April 2006 the Motril Tourist Office occupies the first floor of a not unattractive, if not slightly unusual, looking building at the start of the Parque de los pueblos de America which is beside the big yellow church on the hill, or opposite the main Taxi rank.
Finding the new Motril Tourist Office is far more straightforward than the old one, which was tucked behind the town hall, but it is still not the easiest place to get to. For a start you have to walk there because as yet there is no dedicated parking a matter made worse by the current roadworks going on (but that is another story).
Ok walking is good and healthy but you have to cross a minefield of roads to get there. Yes there are pedestrian crossings, but as this is Spain don’t expect vehicles to stop and let you cross, even if there is a red light!
Once you have got to the right side of the road access to the tourist office is very good, they have even included a ramp to make it wheelchair/pushchair friendly, which is commendable. However there is a significant flaw in this ramp and raised area design!
In a previous life I used to be involved in civil & structural engineering and was involved in many projects for local authorities and the key word in that line of work was always SAFTEY. What has that got to do with this….? After all this is Spain and Health & Safety is a little different here!
True, but if you take a closer look at the design of this ramped access to the tourist office you will notice that it is a little too easy to go up and fall off the edge. There are no railings or bump stops at the top on the edge opposite the ramp, to stop the wheelchair or pushchair from rolling off, or along the end furthest away from the office. This leaves a stepped drop of about 30cm or about a foot in old money. Now I’m no expert but I’m sure your average pushchair or wheelchair is not designed to deal with such a drop. Even an able bodied adult would be in trouble if they stepped backwards over the edge. Back trouble anyone!
There is however a brightside to this, not having railings here means these stepped edges conveniently double as a seating area. Also in designing the access ramp in this way the local authority has provided excellent street furniture to skateboard on or bike over, by those who laugh in the face of safety.
The Motril Tourist Office is open Monday to Friday 10am - 2pm & 5pm – 7pm, Sat/Sun 10am – 2pm & 5pm – 8pm. It has maps, leaflets, a (multilingual) multimedia information desk, monthly what’s on flyers, a very helpful English speaking lady (Jacky) and a brand new website www.turismomotril.com. Or (tel. 958 825 481)