British woman honoured 42 years after putting her foot down for life-saving Costa del Sol bridge

Heroes often come in the form of people who simply refuse to look the other way. Stella Bosworth returned to Estepona on Thursday, April 23, to receive a silver plaque in honour of her unwavering determination in 1984. That year, she witnessed the lethal nature of the coastal road, the A340, now the A-7, and delivered a stern ultimatum to her boss: build a bridge or lose a manager.

Stella told her boss, developer Alan James, in no uncertain terms, “I’m going to have to resign, because I don’t want any more people being killed on that road. We’ve got to build a bridge.” Her stance provoked a movement that transformed safety on what was then one of Europe’s most dangerous stretches of tarmac. Alan James, founder of The Experience Group, took the extraordinary step of privately funding the crossing after official channels failed to act.

Private funding for public safety

Alan recalled the frustration of the era during the presentation at the Benavista footbridge. “I went to Estepona town hall, but nothing. I went to the Malaga town hall, but nothing,” he explained. He decided the community could not wait any longer for bureaucrats to move, as the delays were impacting essential services and safety in the area. “We decided that it had to be done, so we paid for it and built the bridge. So, it was the determination from this lady, when she was still a slip of a lass, that saved hundreds of lives.”

Dangers are still there on the A-7

Danger remains a constant on the A-7, as evidenced by a three-car pile-up that occurred just 30 metres away, only five minutes before the ceremony started. This accident served as a grim reminder of why Bosworth’s intervention was so vital. Without her tenacity, Alan believes a footbridge “probably wouldn’t have even been thought of for another 10 years”. Scores of similar crossings now line the coast, yet this original structure remains a symbol of individual initiative and life-saving determination.

Council confirms long-awaited upgrades

Estepona councillors attended the ceremony to officially announce that extended works have been approved. Funding for ramp access is now budgeted, making sure that people with disabilities, the elderly, and parents with prams will be able to access the crossing safely. Stella Bosworth and Alan James remain an inspiration, proving that taking the first step can create a lasting, life-saving legacy for the community.