Manilva Town Hall has publicly reported the theft and vandalism of more than 100 LED lights recently installed on one section of the municipality’s Senda Litoral, a project that had been presented only a few days earlier as an improvement aimed at strengthening safety and visibility during evening walks.
The new lighting was announced on 30 April by councillors Marcos Ruiz and Pilar Zúñiga, together with area director Alejandro Medina, who highlighted the installation of a total of 120 LED light fittings along several sections of the path with the aim of improving the evening experience for residents and visitors.
Today, only a few days after they were fitted, the Town Hall says that more than a hundred of these lights have disappeared or been damaged, describing what happened as a serious act of vandalism that harms the municipality as a whole and means public resources must once again be spent on repairs and replacements.
Beyond the vandalism reported, which has no justification, the project has raised questions among some residents and industry professionals about the type of light fittings used in an area particularly exposed to wear and tear because of its proximity to the sea, the humidity and the constant daily foot traffic.
According to the information available, the total cost of these lights was reportedly 540 euros for the 120 units installed, which would put the approximate price of each light at around 4.5 euros, a figure that raises many doubts about whether the material used is really designed for a public setting with high exposure and continuous use.
Sources consulted by this newsroom suggest that, given the price and features, the light fittings could be domestic or decorative models rather than the systems usually installed in outdoor public infrastructure subject to demanding environmental conditions, especially on the seafront. The idea could be a good one given the lack of lighting in the area, but the investment and execution could be very far from a serious, professional project for a public institution such as a town hall, where such work should be supervised by technicians who guarantee the suitability of the installation.
The Senda Litoral has become one of the busiest and most photographed spaces in the municipality, among both residents and tourists, which increases the demands for durability and resistance of any street furniture installed in the area.
