Marbella acts urgently on El Faro and La Fontanilla beaches after severe damage caused by storms

The Marbella City Council has immediately commenced sand replenishment and mechanical reprofiling works on the beaches of El Faro and La Fontanilla, aiming to restore their natural equilibrium profile and prevent further damage caused by the storms in January and February, which have particularly affected the central areas of the coastline. In these two cases, there has been severe structural erosion, according to the councilor for the area, Diego López, who specified that in some key points, the beach width has been reduced to just three meters, showing significant sand loss and exposure of the underlying layers. The work will be carried out from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Monday to Saturday, and will last approximately two weeks. Subsequently, similar interventions will be undertaken in another of the areas most affected by recent storms, namely the western section of Nagüeles Beach.

Regarding El Faro, traditionally considered a stable beach, it has been detailed that the western area has almost completely lost its width, exposing the containment elements of the promenade. In La Fontanilla, from the middle to the west, significant sand loss has occurred, with a noticeable reduction in width and the appearance of stones and boulders. The sand used in the operation comes from the beaches themselves, specifically from areas with surplus, "which allows for a sustainable intervention adjusted to technical criteria," according to López.

Safety and Precision

The councilor has specified that "the adopted solution consists of restoring the beach profile through the contribution and redistribution of sand, mobilizing large volumes to recover the lost gradients." Additionally, he noted that due to the magnitude of the loss and the need to act quickly and effectively, heavy machinery is being used, including two high-dump loaders. Similarly, "given the difficulty of access and the limited maneuverability on such central beaches, the use of an off-road dumper (type 'lizard') is essential to execute the work with safety and precision," he added.

This action is crucial for the stabilization of the coastal front and the elimination of detected risks, especially in areas adjacent to the promenade. In this regard, López regretted that the City Council "once again assumes this intervention alone to protect the municipality's beaches, even though beach profiling and the integrity of the public maritime-terrestrial domain are state responsibilities."