Mijas demands urgent repairs to 17 A-7 footbridges over safety fears

Rusting railings and falling concrete have prompted the council to renew its appeal to Spain’s Transport Ministry, claiming it has been unable to carry out repairs itself.

Mijas Council has demanded urgent repairs to all 17 pedestrian footbridges crossing the A-7 motorway within the municipality, warning that deteriorating railings, corroded fixings and falling concrete could endanger pedestrians and passing traffic.

The council renewed its request to Spain’s Ministry of Transport on Wednesday, October 7, following complaints about the condition of the structures, including several inspected by local councillors in La Cala de Mijas.

Infrastructure councillor Juan Jose Torres said the bridges showed signs of prolonged neglect, with rusted metal railings, peeling paintwork and sections of concrete breaking away. Debris falling from the structures could pose a danger to vehicles travelling along the busy coastal motorway, he warned.

Council says it cannot carry out repairs

Mijas Council cannot legally carry out repair works on the bridges as they fall under the responsibility of the Ministry of Transport in Spain as they form part of the A7 motorway structure, which is legally property of the state.

Torres said the council had repeatedly contacted the Ministry of Transport to request repairs but had received no response. A further formal request covering all 17 bridges was due to be sent on October 7.

The councillor also claimed the local authority risked state sanctions if it attempted to carry out repairs without the necessary authorisation.

This leaves the council calling for urgent action while claiming it cannot independently address the deterioration affecting the crossings.

Beach access among the concerns

The condition of the footbridges is also a concern for residents and visitors who use them to cross the A-7 and reach coastal areas. Playas councillor Daniel Gomez said years of insufficient maintenance had left some sections of railing so badly corroded that replacing entire sections could be necessary, rather than simply patching up the damage.

The bridges provide important links between residential areas, local facilities and the coast, making their condition a practical safety issue for people living in and visiting Mijas Costa.

Will the bridges be repaired?

The council’s latest demand follows previous calls for improvements to pedestrian bridges along this stretch of the A-7. However, it has not announced a repair timetable agreed with the Ministry. The allegations of deterioration have not been accompanied by a publicly available independent engineering assessment establishing whether any of the 17 bridges have structural weaknesses affecting their overall stability.

Residents will now be looking for a response from the Ministry and details of when inspections and repairs might take place.

For the time being, Mijas Council is insisting that the state authority responsible for the structures must act to address the reported defects and ensure the crossings can be used safely.