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Gibraltar/La Linea dispute triggers ample coverage in UK press

Ashley Fox Tory MEP for South West of England & Gibraltar

Ashley Fox Tory MEP for South West of England & Gibraltar has written to the UK press about the current developments in La Linea, reports the Gibraltar Chronicle.

He tells readers in the constituency that considering its distance from the UK it is rare that a story crosses back to Britain, but he wanted to draw readers’ attention to the harassment threatened against the residents of the Rock.

The letter states:

“The cash strapped Mayor of La Linea, the Spanish Town immediately across the border, has come up with a new scheme targeting the people of Gibraltar. He is proposing to levy a charge on all people entering and leaving the former colony, with the exception of Spanish workers.”

“This is a clear breach of EU law which enshrines the concept of the Freedom of Movement of Labour throughout the EU. This is obviously yet another attempt to distract local attention from the financial problems of La Linea by blaming all troubles on Gibraltar. The Mayor of La Linea needs to focus on fixing his own problems rather than looking for a scapegoat that doesn’t exist.”

“The people of Gibraltar need our support to face this latest threat to their economic and political independence. Gibraltar may be separated by geography but its people are British, and as such, deserve the same rights that we all enjoy including the ability to cross a border without harassment.”

Meanwhile Spanish ferry line Transcoma has launched a promotion offering a maritime alternative to La Linea’s controversial congestion charge. The border toll is nowhere near becoming a reality yet, but the company running a service between the Rock and Algeciras is wasting no time.

While workers in Spain continued to dig up the road next to the border, Transcoma sent out a new leaflet advertising a £5 return ticket. The promotion ran under the bizarre slogan, “If dampen the way…come to Spain by sea.”

But whatever was meant by the headline, the ultimate aim was clear: “From Ferry Terminal to City Centre without the hassle or tolls!”

Despite pressure from Madrid, La Linea mayor Alejandro Sánchez is pushing ahead with his scheme and has asked council officials to begin drafting the documentation to implement the congestion charge.