Brits heading to Spain warned of new beach restrictions due to drought

COSTA del Sol council chiefs are starting to turn off beach showers at the height of the summer because of the worsening drought affecting southern Spain.

From today they will be closed in three municipalities in the eastern stretch of the famous coastline - Rincon de la Victoria, Velez-Malaga and Algarrobo.

Foot washes only will continue to function in the first two council areas alone.

This means Brits on holiday in Andalusia and Malaga will be subject to the new restrictions.

Velez-Malaga mayor Antonio Moreno Ferrer admitted: “It’s not an easy decision to take at the height of summer with our beaches full of locals and visitors and we’re sorry for the inconvenience this can cause.

“But we’re facing a critical situation and any measure that can help to lessen the effects of the drought has to be adopted, starting with local councils setting an example.”

Rincon de la Victoria mayor Francisco Salado, confirming 57 beach showers in his municipality would be affected by the shutdown, added: “We know this measure is unpopular but it’s extremely necessary.”

The shower closures come after it emerged a reservoir in La Vinuela north-east of Malaga which supplies 14 municipalities in the area is at just 13.4 per cent of its capacity.

It is forecast to drop to below its record low of 9.2 per cent of its capacity by the end of September with the current high temperatures afflicting Spain and lack of rain.

Juanma Moreno, president of the regional Junta de Andalucia government, warned Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez about the serious drought situation southern Spain is going through during a meeting last week.

He told Mr Sanchez services linked to tourism were among the two main economic sectors being affected.

The Junta president described the situation as “extremely worrying” and said it could become dramatic if the dry and hot weather continues.

This July is expected to be officially declared in the next few days as Spain’s hottest on record after temperatures of 40C became the norm  in many parts of the south of the country.

Last month Sanxenxo Council near Pontevedra in Galicia, a region of Spain famed for its rain, announced it was closing down its beach foot washes to save on water.

Brit holidaymakers have already been warned Menorca could run out of water following a massive surge in visitors and extreme 33C heat.

It's not the only rule change being introduced at beaches in Spain.

Tourists who smoke on any of Barcelona’s 10 beaches now face fines after a ban on lighting up on the sand was approved.

The number of beaches where smoking is banned in Spain has jumped from around 15 in the summer of 2014 to around 550 at present.

They include 13 beaches in the Malaga province stretch of the Costa del Sol and seven in Majorca.

Spain has also confirmed other regulations that could affect Brits hoping to holiday there this summer, including this rule about how much money you need to enter the country.

If you fancy a cheap holiday to Spain, we've found a number of deals to the country from holiday giants like Jet2 Holidays, TUI, easyJet Holidays and Thomas Cook, with prices from £31pp a night.