Faro has approved a “manifestation of institutional support”
Faro Municipal Council has unanimously approved a “manifestation of institutional support” for the construction of a high-speed railway connection between the Algarve and Andalusia.
In a statement to the press, the local authority stresses that the two regions “mustn’t waste this unique, and perhaps historic opportunity” to use the European Union (EU) funding that is available to them to bring this project to life.
As Rogério Bacalhau, mayor of Faro, points out, this project could “truly change the face” of both regions.
“The creation of an Atlantic railway corridor, connecting the Algarve railway with the rest of the Spanish railway network, will allow efficient and fast mobility of passengers and goods, but also promote territorial cohesion and regional and cross-border social and economic development,” the mayor says in the statement.
He adds that this project can help “bring the Algarve and Andalusia closer to the European economic centre, while also taking important steps towards achieving decarbonisation environmental goals.”
“This is a unique and perhaps unrepeatable moment to move forward with this project, by demanding from governments and the European Union the necessary funds to do so,” Bacalhau said.
The approval of the council’s “manifestation of institutional support” also considered that “this is not only a wish of the local government,” but also of local entrepreneurs and citizens.
Faro’s statement also stresses that the EU should be more than happy to financially back the project given its commitment to “territorial cohesion”, particularly in peripheral areas.
The manifesto urged national and EU authorities to commit to the development a high-speed railway between the Algarve and Andalusia (Spain), advocating for its inclusion as a priority project in the Trans-European Transport Network and allocation of necessary funds for preliminary work to begin.
michael.bruxo@portugalresident.com
