The association of small and medium enterprises of San Pedro Alcántara (APYMESPA) requests that the administrations establish a working group to develop a comprehensive mobility plan for the Costa del Sol, in light of the serious traffic issues and lack of infrastructure.
The Association of Small and Medium Enterprises of San Pedro Alcántara (APYMESPA) has called on public administrations to create a working group to design a Comprehensive Mobility Plan for the Costa del Sol. The initiative, presented from a constructive standpoint, aims to address the traffic problems affecting the region, especially on the A-7.
Daily traffic jams on the A-7 between San Pedro Alcántara, Marbella, and Estepona are the main source of complaint. Any incident causes delays that result in increased business costs and difficulties in transporting goods and providing services. The association points out that demographic, tourist, and business growth has not been accompanied by a proportional improvement in infrastructure and public transport.
One existing alternative is the toll road AP-7, but its price limits its use. During the special season of 2026, the full journey between Málaga and Guadiaro costs €19.55 one way and €39.10 return. For a worker using it daily for 22 working days, the monthly cost rises to €860.20, excluding fuel and other expenses. For shorter journeys, such as between San Pedro Alcántara and Marbella or between San Pedro Alcántara and Estepona, the monthly cost is around €158.
Therefore, APYMESPA requests discounts for residents, workers, self-employed individuals, small businesses, and professional vehicles, as well as an affordable flat rate or the maintenance of the standard rate throughout the year. They believe that the high toll cost discourages its use and does not contribute to relieving congestion on the free road.
Traffic jams not only affect business productivity but also increase operational costs, hinder hiring, and negatively impact work-life balance. The hours lost in traffic translate into higher fuel consumption, vehicle wear and tear, delays in deliveries and services, cancelled appointments, and lost business opportunities. For families, this means higher travel expenses and less time for rest and personal life.
The association proposes to improve, expand, and dual the current roads, incorporate new lanes, enhance access, and create alternative routes. Additionally, they consider it necessary to strengthen intercity buses, establish reserved lanes, build park-and-ride facilities, provide real-time traffic information, and design a basic local network with better coordination in the event of accidents and roadworks.
One of the historical demands that APYMESPA brings back to the table is the construction of the Coastal Train or a rail alternative that connects Málaga, the airport, Fuengirola, Mijas, Marbella, San Pedro Alcántara, Estepona, and the Campo de Gibraltar. They believe this infrastructure is key to alleviating pressure on the road.
They also demand improvements to the road between San Pedro Alcántara and the Serranía de Ronda. The closure of the A-397 in 2025 highlighted the vulnerability of this connection, which affects workers, businesses, commerce, and tourism linking to Seville and Madrid.
The comprehensive plan proposed by APYMESPA should study a better joint use of the airports of Málaga and Gibraltar, with improved land connections and greater coordination. They also propose to analyze maritime passenger connections between the municipalities of the Costa del Sol and the Campo de Gibraltar, collaborating with Andalusian urban air mobility companies.
The association calls for the involvement of the Government of Spain, the Junta de Andalucía, the Provincial Council of Málaga, the municipalities, the associations, the transport authorities, the port authorities, the concessionaire of the AP-7, and the institutions related to Gibraltar, along with the main economic and social agents. The goal is to provide a definitive short-term solution to a problem they consider serious both economically and socially.
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