Economic impact of tolls on A22 to be debated
Updated: 04-Mar-2011
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Facebook page ‘Não queremos portagens na A22 Via do Infante’ (we don’t want tolls on the A22) published a photograph of a billboard from the now ruling PS political party during an election campaign in 2004 which said ‘paying tolls is not an alternative’
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A new association opposing the introduction of tolls on the A22-Via do Infante is hosting a forum tomorrow (Saturday) in Loulé about the economic and social impact of tolls in the region.
The new group, named Plataforma Regional Antiportagens, joins the Algarve Câmaras association AMAL, five business associations, the Comissão de Utentes da A22 (A22 users commission), represented by left wing party Bloco de Esquerda (BE) members, and two Algarve unions.
The forum at the NERA auditorium, in the industrial area of Loulé, starts at 3pm with a discussion of a topic that is creating great concern in the region, namely the traffic disruptions that will be caused by the introduction of tolls on the A22. From 3.30pm, the main topic will be the economical and social effects on the region, with talks by Algarve University professor Fernando Perna, who will discuss the possible tourism competitiveness and economic impacts if the tolls are implemented, and Algarve Food Bank President Adriano Pimpão, who will talk about the contradictory nature of the project which promises to help the country financially while making the region poorer.
At 4pm, an open debate is scheduled for all the participants in attendance.
Meanwhile, it has been announced that the number of fatalities on the EN125 road, which according to the A22 users commission “will never be an alternative to the Via do Infante”, have increased.
Between January 1 and February 10, eight deaths were recorded on the EN125 in traffic accidents.
According to local authorities and members of the A22 users commission, the situation may worsen with the introduction of tolls which is likely to see traffic increase on the road.
The EN125 is currently undergoing redevelopment works to improve its condition, however, founding member of the commission and coordinator of the Algarve BE party, João Vasconcelos, doesn’t believe that it can carry more traffic than it already does.
“Tolls on the Via do Infante can only mean more accidents on the EN125. If the measure is introduced, more drivers will use the EN125, which will make it even more dangerous than it already is.”
The tolls are set to be introduced on the Via do Infante on April 15, 2011.
Look out for future editions of the Algarve Resident, when we will be providing ALL the information you need to prepare yourselves for the day the tolls come into effect.
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