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The Costa del Sol Business Association APYMESPA warned that clogged up roads are now a major brake to the Costa del Sol’s economy. Workers, goods and tourists are struggling to keep pace with the rapid increase in tourism, people and businesses.
APYMESPA stands for the Asociación de la Pequeña y Mediana Empresa de San Pedro Alcantara. Founded in 2003. this non-profit group speaks for small and medium-sized firmsSan Pedro Alcantara is a hub for traders and professionals in Nueva Andalucia, the Costa del Sol and surrounding areas. Members of the association demand support from local businesses on those issues that are most pressing.
Daily Gridlock on Route A-7 Hits Hardest
In recent years, the population growth, economic activity and visitor numbers have been so strong that they have exceeded improvements to public transportation and main roads. The A-7 is plagued by daily traffic jams. The journeys between San Pedro Alcantara and Marbella or Estepona as well as other coastal towns in the west are unpredictable. In one of Andalusia’s most lucrative zones, a minor accident or roadworks could cause traffic to be halted for several hours.
@Apymespa reclama un plan integral de movilidad para la #CostadelSol @cuquita1982 @tvmarbella @javigane #SanPedroAlcantara
— Francisco Acedo (@Acedotor) July 25, 2026
For APYMESPA, congestion acts as a hidden tax. Transport bills increase, company efficiency is reduced, delivery plans are complicated, and firms have less ability to compete with other areas who built better connections as they grew.
The AP-7 tolls have been deemed too high by many.
APYMESPA focuses on the high cost of the AP-7. The AP-7 motorway offers a solution to the A-7’s bottlenecks but its fees discourage thousands of small operators and workers. During the 2026 special season the full run from Malaga to Guadiaro costs €19.55 each way. This is the most costly toll road in Spain. Over a normal working month that can total €860.20 before fuel or vehicle upkeep. Even shorter trips such as San Pedro Alcantara to Marbella or Estepona reach about €158 monthly.
Calls for lower rates for residentsThe benefits of a self-employed person, their staff, and their vehicles go far beyond what one sector wants. These questions raise concerns about the underuse of a paid route while other routes are jammed.
Small and medium businesses are the hardest hit. Larger companies are sometimes able to absorb delays and change routes. The smaller companies have less money to pay for extra fuel, overtime or vehicle wear. Profits can be wiped out by two or three vans that are stuck each day. All calls for a reduction in rates have been ignored.
Work and life stress increases
The effects of business decisions are not limited to the company. Traffic jams reduce family time, make it harder to staff and limit the hours that can be spent on resting or caring for children. In an area that relies heavily upon tourism and service, poor mobility lowers the living standard in a place where many people commute daily between towns.
What APYMESPA is looking for next
The association wants to create a Costa del Sol Mobility Plan that includes money, deadlines, and input from the companies.
The suggested steps include adding lanes to existing roads, increasing public transportation, building park and ride sites, creating dedicated lanes, and using smart traffic system.
A coastal train or similar rail link It is still important to have this service. This service would connect Malaga with the airport, Fuengirola Mijas Marbella San Pedro Alcantara Estepona Campo de Gibraltar and Fuengirola. Other ideas include better roads to the Serrania de Ronda, after the A-397 closes in 2025. They also include closer cooperation between Malaga airport and Gibraltar, passenger boat services, and new urban air options.
APYMESPA is calling for coordinated action from the Spanish national government, Junta de Andalucia and the local councils. It also wants the AP-7 operator and Gibraltar’s linked groups to take part.
On the Costa del Sol, mobility is now more than just a simple problem with traffic. Now, it is a test of the region’s ability. Roads designed for smaller-scale life and work are constantly under pressure from residents, tourists and business. While the number of visitors, tourists, and jobs continue to increase, travel infrastructure is lagging behind.
APYMESPA will continue to work in the business corner with the hope of having a bigger impact as the 2027 election approaches.
