Alicante and Elche join forces for better investment

ALICANTE and Elche are joining forces to demand more government investment. The tripartite ruling councils of both cities have gathered to agree to work together in claims for government investment and will work jointly in calling for better connections between the two cities, the airport and railway.

Mayor of Alicante, the socialist Gabriel Echavarri, said after the meeting with his counterpart from Elche, Carlos Gonzalez, that they had ceased this “absurd and historical isolation” that existed between the councils of both cities.

Echavarri stressed that it was the “first time in 20 years” that there were two socialist mayors in Alicante and Elche, the second and third largest cities in the region. Both said this was the first of many meetings to bring together both municipalities, working towards a “bilateral and fruitful career.”

Both municipal governments are planning to submit amendments jointly for the state budget for 2016 to reflect investments in which the two municipalities have interests, such as those concerning the Mediterranean Corridor.

Other investments would focus on improving communications between the municipalities along to Cartagena, improving access to the airport and improving train services, which need “an urgent connection with the Alicante-Elche airport.”

The pair also confirmed that they would work together on the IFA exhibition centre. Gonzalez added: “Its development is essential to the whole province.”