A protest to demand a solution to the badly rundown eastern section of the EN125 road, between Olhão and Vila Real de Santo António, was held last Saturday.
Organised by left-wing political party Bloco de Esquerda, the demonstration saw members and supporters of the party, including Algarve MP João Vasconcelos, raising banners demanding renovations on the much-maligned stretch of the road.
The initiative started at 10.15am and included stops in Olhão, Luz and Cabanas (Tavira) and finally Aldeia Nova (VRSA).
The state of the road, described by many as “embarrassing” and “unacceptable”, has been making headlines in recent weeks.
The councils of Castro Marim and VRSA have slammed the government for failing to move forward with long-promised roadworks and have joined a civic movement to demand “clear and urgent” measures to solve the issues on the eastern section of the road.
There are also plans to create a petition, demand a meeting with Infrastructure Minister Pedro Marques and put up billboards highlighting the “horrible state of the road”.
Meantime, the civic movement has written an open letter to Parliament urging all MPs to “shed their party colours” and fight for a “common cause” – the long-awaited start of the roadworks.
Correio da Manhã tabloid reports that the Court of Auditors – blamed often by the government for delaying the start of the works – has denied any responsibility in the matter.
A source told the paper that the court has a maximum of 30 days to respond to any request for authorisation.
CM adds that the delays are in fact due to issues in the negotiation of a new contract between the state and the road’s concession company.
michael.bruxo@algarveresident.com
