The Bétera City Council has confirmed a total investment of 9,450,000 euros to enhance the municipality's resilience against adverse weather phenomena. This significant financial contribution comes from the award of 8,977,500 euros from the European FEDER funds, under the EDIL DANA call. The council will supplement this amount with 472,500 euros from its municipal budget for the implementation of eight strategic projects.
The Integrated Action Plan (PAI), aligned with the municipal Reconstruction Agenda, will focus on improving critical infrastructure. The actions include addressing vulnerable points in evacuation routes, renovating pluvial drainage systems, and adapting public spaces for a more effective response to torrential rain episodes and water floods.
The mayor of Bétera, Elia Verdevío, has highlighted the importance of this European aid, stating that "the award of these funds demonstrates the City Council's commitment to making Bétera a safer and better-prepared municipality for storms and heavy rains." The objective is to ensure residents' safety through structural interventions in the most sensitive areas of the municipality.
The largest portion of the budget, 3,000,000 euros, will be allocated to hydraulic infrastructure. The pluvial drainage network in the urban area will be renovated and expanded, addressing areas with significant water accumulation during heavy rainfall. Additionally, 99,900 euros will be dedicated to cleaning and conditioning the Barranquet, combining drainage solutions with nature-based techniques.
The Councillor for European Funds, Manuel Pérez, has positively assessed the aid as a "definitive endorsement of the council's work and planning." The eight planned interventions will allow for precise action on the pluvial network and strategic roads to resolve water accumulation issues and ensure the municipality's preparedness for weather alerts.
Another significant line of action will focus on roads and evacuation routes, with an investment of 1,950,000 euros to improve the drainage of the strategic road network and rural paths. Safe access to urbanizations will be guaranteed, and the Camí de la Providència will be conditioned as a priority evacuation route.
In the urban area, 1,250,000 euros will be allocated to transform critical pedestrian routes into accessible environments for emergencies, including the creation of single-level platforms and the removal of architectural barriers on Alfàbegues street. Pluvial collection on Comandante Franco street will also be improved.
The Alameda Escultor Ramón Inglés will undergo comprehensive regeneration with 1,300,000 euros. The project will incorporate resilient design criteria, land waterproofing, structural reinforcement, and a substantial improvement in hydraulic performance to effectively channel rainwater.
The Municipal Sports Center will receive 1,000,000 euros to adapt its facilities to the risks associated with its proximity to the Carraixet ravine. Changing rooms and functional areas currently located in flood-prone zones will be relocated and elevated.
For operational coordination, 630,962 euros will be allocated to condition the R7 Track as a meeting point and command post, equipped to coordinate security forces during critical situations. Furthermore, 219,137 euros will be dedicated to the functional rehabilitation of Casa Nebot to protect it from water ingress and potential electrical supply incidents.
