News
Caves upset
The general manager of the Nerja Caves has quit after six months in the job . Carlos García , formerly CEO of Economic and Productive Development in Málaga ’ s Provincial Government , is leaving to take up a post as manager of the Provincial Revenue Board .
Broken leg
Emergency crews were called out to the course of the Chillar river near Frigiliana last month to help a 12-yearold who had fallen while out walking . The Swiss boy , believed to have broken his leg , was with his mother who raised the alarm . He was found in the area known as Pozo Grande and taken to hospital for treatment .
Arenas investment
A Belgian group has announced a € 90 million project to build a geriatric home two kilometres outside Arenas . The 50,000 square metre complex will include 120 apartments for patients , plus a four-star hotel with 121 rooms for use by their families or by tourists . Once opened , the group says the project will create 90 direct jobs .
German connection
The possibility of direct flights between Granada and Berlin next year is under discussion . City and tourist sector representatives are reported to be in negotiations with an unnamed airline following initial discussions at a tourist fair in Belfast during the spring . Flights between Granada ’ s Federico García Lorca airport and Paris , Tenerife and Bilbao are scheduled to start in December .
Road accidents
One person died following a collision between a car and motorcycle on the A- 44 near Otura last month . The same stretch of Granada road also saw a lorry overturn , causing seven other vehicles to collide with one another after it blocked the carriageway . One person was injured .
Drugs bust
Málaga ’ s local police have confiscated over 1,000 doses of heroin and cocaine from a house in the El Perchel district after plain clothes officers observed the owner allegedly selling drugs on the street . The suspect fled when spotted , forcing the agents into a long pursuit on foot . When finally detained , he was found to be carrying 800 doses of heroin .
Vélez tram back next summer , says mayor
The Vélez-Málaga tramway will be back in service by next summer , according to the town ’ s mayor Antonio Moreno Ferrer . He says that when the tranvía re-opens to the public , it will include the second phase , a 1.2 kilometre extension to the old railway station which was completed but never went into service before the system was closed in 2012 .
The mayor said he is presently waiting for a meeting with representatives from the Junta de Andalucía to discuss the extra € 1.5 million required to refurbish the infrastructure which has now lain disused for several years .
He was also disappointed by the attitude of the concession holder , Travelsa , which operated the public transport service between Vélez and Torre del Mar from its opening . He said they had come up with obstacles and delays which have prevented the tranvía from restarting this year , as he had planned .
Patients of Andalucía ’ s public health service now have a single phone number to call to make an appointment with their doctor at a local health centre . The old number ( beginning 902 ) for the Salud Respond service was phased out last month , leaving 955 54 50 60 as the number to use .
Since June , the Andalucían Health Service ( SAS ) has been running a campaign warning of the change and by last month , more than 70 per cent of calls were being made on the new number . Anyone calling the old number now receives a message advising it is no longer operational and advising them of the new number to call instead .
However , the SAS says their free mobile phone app is now the most
The concession to operate the tranvía was awarded to a Joint Venture Company formed by Alsina Graells ( which includes Alsa ), Sando Construcciones and Continental Rail , but now the management is in the hands of Alsa , as others have sold their shares .
The system opened in October 2006 and ran for 6.1 kilometres between the two town centres . Construction of the first 5.8 kilometres cost over € 25 million euros , while the second , unused phase cost € 8 million .
New number for doctor appointments : 955 54 50 60
popular way of making a doctor ’ s appointment , with 1.7 million people already having used it . It is available to download under the name Salud Respond for all mobile phone operating systems .
Once installed , the patient ’ s health card number and year of birth must be entered , and in the case of those who are over 14 years of age , their identity number ( DNI or NIE ) or passport number . This data is then stored allowing quick access on future visits . As well as making appointments , the app offers a range of other healthrelated services .
Appointments can still be made on-line if preferred at the SAS “ virtual office ,” InterSAS ( www . juntadeandalucia . es / servicioandaluzdesalud ) or by visiting a local health centre in person .
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