In a letter, Emanuele Macaluso denounces some of Seccagrande’s problems.
“Serious and very dangerous situation in via Leonardo Da Vinci in Seccagrande – he writes – the last 5 public lighting poles show very clear signs of extreme wear due to the salt, even losing metal parts now eroded by rust. What is most worrying is the dangerous oscillating movement of the poles in case of strong winds, quite common in that area of the Ribera summer village, in addition to the fact that they are practically attached to the houses and that this area is very frequented by vehicular traffic”.
The note was written by Emanuele Macaluso, who acts as spokesperson for the other inhabitants of that area concerned for their safety and that of passers-by. In other areas of Seccagrande, steps were already taken several years ago to replace the old and worn public lighting poles with more suitable fiberglass poles, resistant to salt and bad weather. Macaluso, in addition to informally reporting the workers and administrators several times, took steps – on 9 September 2023 – to send the report of this dangerous situation via PEC to the manager of Sector II – Infrastructure and Urban Planning and for information to the mayor Ruvolo. Unfortunately, no response was ever received and the public lighting poles today appear even more degraded and unsafe, having experienced another winter season absorbing the water from the nearby sea which literally bathes them when the wave motion is very strong.
Again Macaluso points out that “unfortunately this part of Seccagrande is among the most neglected. From the beginning of Leonardo Da Vinci street (where the Gagarin seafront ends) to the end of the road, the road surface has become impassable, full of potholes and missing parts of asphalt. Which is quite serious given that it is an extension of the seafront. Even more serious is the erosion of the roadway in the part where the breakwater is lowest, a slow but serious action of damage by the sea which has never even been stopped or taken into consideration by the competent bodies.
Yet, due to the lack of parking, it is precisely this part of the road that is occupied on the busiest summer evenings. For the summer, motorists will have to struggle even more to find parking given that the risk of a landslide is imminent. To conclude, among the many inconveniences in the area, one of the most serious certainly concerns the sewerage system, which starts right from the end of via Leonardo Da Vinci.
The part of the beach that extends to the end of the breakwater shows serious erosion which has led to the exposure of the sewer pipes to the elements and the fall of rocks from the breakwater itself, a situation that could generate a very serious case of pollution of the waters below and which could be extended in a very short time to the entire Gulf of Seccagrande”.
“The summer season has already started – concludes Macaluso – many of the usual works that should have already been completed have not even started, the pollarding of the hedge of the Gagarin seafront traffic island was only carried out (months ago) so as to reduce the pruning interventions over the months. Now, however, the latter requires remodeling to allow crossing pedestrians to see and be seen. In via R. Sanzio the collapse of the road surface is again a cause for concern where just last year an emergency intervention was carried out following the creation of an enormous sinkhole in the middle of the road. There is much more to do to make the beautiful Seccagrande at least liveable for residents. The fact is that I regret having to report these serious gaps in routine maintenance to the press well into June. Let’s hope action will be taken at least in the most dangerous situations that threaten public safety!”.
Ribera, 06/17/2024 Emanuele Macaluso
