Redaccion
The mayor of Arganda del Rey, Alberto Escribano, has appeared on Buenos Días Madrid from Onda Madrid to discuss some of the issues that concern and interest the residents of this town in the southeast of the region, which has experienced significant growth in the last two decades, going from 30,000 inhabitants in the year 2000 to almost 60,000 currently.
When asked if the rental crisis is reflected in his municipality, Escribano acknowledged that the situation «is as bad as in the rest of the Community of Madrid.» However, he explained that they are focused on expediting licenses to allow the growth of Arganda.
«For many years, there have been dozens of empty plots. No housing has been offered, so prices have risen,» he noted. And he emphasized the need to provide legal security to homeowners.
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Another issue concerning Arganda del Rey is the construction of the Conde de Casal interchange. «It’s good news. It will be very beneficial,» he affirmed. Additionally, regarding public transportation, he clarified that they have managed to align the Metro’s closing time with the rest of the network and increase the number of cars from two to three. The current demand is for «the Metro fare to be the same as the rest of the network, but I believe it will happen soon because the president announced they would adjust the fares,» he said.
«There is also a lot of talk about the third lane on the A-3,» Escribano mentioned. In this regard, he recalled that this highway only has three lanes up to the connection with Rivas. «It’s crazy to get to Arganda every day, it used to be only during rush hour on some days, but now it’s constant. Since the Metro arrived in 1999, the population has doubled.» Although the environmental evaluation phase has started, the mayor believes it will still be many years before that third lane becomes a reality.
INVESTMENTS IN SPORTS FACILITIES
Regarding the construction of a new sports complex, the mayor is clear: «I won’t promise it because there is no money or land.» He criticized his predecessor for promising to build this sports complex because, as he points out, «he was lying, as it was never done.»
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He also recounted that when he took over the municipal government, they had to spend «almost 200,000 euros on all the lights because everything was dark. Training was impossible. The rhythmic gymnastics girls couldn’t see in the pavilion.»
He acknowledges that «facilities are lacking», but sends an optimistic message: «There are few sports facilities, more need to be built, and I believe we will achieve that. We are working on it.»
BULLFIGHTING EVENTS
In another matter, bullfighting events are among the most popular spectacles for the residents of Arganda del Rey. «Between 94 and 95 bulls are taken to the streets each year,» the mayor said.
Arganda is a municipality known for its special focus on the bullfighting industry. «We have gained a lot of prestige because the bullfighting fair has been organized very well, no matter who is in power, we have to be strong there and bet on the future of bullfighting,» he states.
An example of this dedicated commitment is the ‘Vid de Oro’ Novilladas Fair, now in its 36th edition. And next weekend, the II ‘Vid de Plata’ Contest will take place. «Palencia, Badajoz, Salamanca, Madrid will come to compete in Arganda, and the three winners will go to the September fair,» he explained.
