Motril to be epicentre of huge summer travel operation

MORE than 270,000 passengers and 60,000 vehicles are expected to transit through the Port of Motril during the Operacion Paso del Estrecho (OPE). The OPE is an operation launched by the Spanish authorities to cope with the 2.5 million travellers expected to cross the country this summer on their way to Morocco, which will run until September 15.
Motril will become the second busiest port in Spain, only beaten by the Algeciras Port (Cadiz), for people travelling to Melilla, Nador and Alhucemas (Morocco).
In a press conference, the Deputy Delegate of the Central Government in Granada, Santiago Perez, described the expectations for the OPE 2015, and explained that this year would be different as the port was now accessible from the A-7 road for the first time in history, and would have 70 additional police officers to ensure safety.
Mr Perez affirmed that the biggest influx of travellers was expected on July 14 (a national holiday in France) and 17 (when Ramadan ends), reaching figures of up to 6,000 people and 2,000 vehicles per day.
This year’s novelty in Motril has been the addition of social workers and Arabic and French interpreters to provide visitors with a better service, as well as medical treatment if needed by volunteers of the Red Cross.
Ten more Guardia Civil officers will be added to its traffic branch and another 20 to the Safety Reserve Team (GRS), as well as 22 new National Police officers, amongst other authorities.
The operation is expected to create 90 direct jobs and an income for the city of up to €20 million, and has been accredited by experts of the Granada University as the most important event for the city in terms of numbers of people and finance.