High-speed rail link “surprises” city council
A stunning manor house, recently renovated to the tune of €1.2 million by Porto City Council, is just one of the “many properties” that face being demolished in the name of the new ‘high speed rail project’ ultimately linking Porto with Vigo, in Spanish Galicia.
The problem with this ‘not so happy festive story’ is that mayor Rui Moreira says no one was given advance warning.
Had he / his administration known of the plan, they would certainly not have authorised the renovations of Quinta do Mira, for a start.
But it has also come clear that Quinta do Mira won’t be the only casualty.
“A lot of properties will be demolished, many of them private”, Moreira is shown telling SIC Notícias on its website today – suggesting the number is in the region of “40 or so”.
The project (easily accessible thanks to a video) shows how the first phase of the rail link from Porto to Oiã -work on which is due to start during the coming year, carves a path measuring 71 kms. The animated line can be seen dissecting properties.
Questioned by SIC, IP reportedly “did not reply in time” for the news segment.
The rail link is due to be completed by 2032, and will service stations in Porto’s Sã Carneiro airport, Braga, Ponte de Lima and Valença. The first phase (Porto to Soure) is due to be completed in 2030, says SIC.
Source material: SIC Notícias
