SINCE the launch of Spain’s first high-speed railway in 1992, the glamourous, sleek AVE trains have been the envy of the world and made Spain undoubtedly the world leader in the field. By Wendy Williams Advising the US on its own high-speed aims, as well as recently signing a deal to install an AVE line [...]

A FORMER Ronda mayor has pleaded for a rethink on a freight train plan that would ruin the town’s key tourist valley. Manuel Garcia Rubio insists the so-called Mediterranean Corridor should not be carved through the ‘magnificent’ Llano de la Cruz valley. The former socialist mayor insists the area – that has half a dozen [...]

THE mayors of Ronda and Arriate are supporting a plan to protect Ronda’s beautiful Llano de la Cruz valley against a damaging railway freight scheme. Both have also asked for a month’s extension to give residents and businesses time to formulate their allegations against the project, that is part of the so-called Mediterranean Corridor. Under [...]

UP to 200 homeowners and hoteliers have met to discuss ways to oppose a scheme that would ‘destroy’ tourism in Ronda’s popular Llano de la Cruz valley. The group – who are setting up a platform against the project – heard how a planned rail link would primarily be for freight trains, which ‘could run [...]

A PROPOSED route for a new AVE high speed rail line would cause ‘total destruction’ for one of Ronda’s key valleys. EXCLUSIVE By Paul Whitelock and Jon Clarke Hundreds of homeowners and hoteliers would be affected if a route published last week was to be built. Part of the so-called ‘Mediterranean Corridor’, the line – [...]

THE Green political party Equo Malaga has stepped in to save Ronda’s stunning Tajo gorge from urban sprawl and is calling on Unicaja to buy Casa Rua. The group argues that the bank has a duty to buy the 15 hectare land as part of its ‘Social Work’ project in recognition of the generations of [...]

PRESSURE groups have united behind the IU party to oppose a ‘crazy’ scheme which will see 22 houses and a hotel built on Ronda’s famous Tajo gorge. Ecologistas en Accion and the Plataforma en Defensa del Tajo are demanding a halt to the project, which has just been passed by the new PP mayor. The [...]

How a series of hardy winemakers – the majority expatriates – are making a go of organic winemaking near Ronda By Jon Clarke WHEN architect Martin Kieninger decided to plant a vineyard at his stunning smallholding near Ronda, it could only ever have been an organic one. Having spent the best part of two decades [...]

LOOKING for somewhere to explore this weekend? There is nothing better than having all the latest insider knowledge to pinpoint the hottest new restaurant, or most charming local hotel. Written exclusively by our team of local journalists and writers – including celebrities such as Driving Over Lemons author Chris Stewart (‘All about the Alpujarras’) or [...]

IT is one of the most controversial developments in Andalucian history and for many has become synonymous with corruption and greed. By Wendy Williams and Jon Clarke Carved out of virgin woodland in stunning mountain scenery close to Ronda, developers behind the Los Merinos golf scheme became infamous around the world. Ignoring protection orders to [...]

RESIDENTS have just one week left to voice their opposition to plans for a controversial motorway linking Ronda with the Costa del Sol. It comes as the IU party put in an official objection to the scheme that would see large parts of the Sierra Bermeja and Genal Valley carved up to make way for [...]

PROTESTS have erupted again over the controversial Los Merinos Golf project. Large numbers are expected to turn out this Saturday for the first in a series of monthly demonstrations to demand the opening of public footpaths that have been closed since 2006. This latest protest also comes in the wake of a new book published [...]