By INÊS LOPES ines.lopes@algarveresident.com
A motion against the cancellation of the Odiáxere bypass on the EN125 has been passed by Lagos Câmara. The government is being slammed for its uncaring stance towards the municipality’s accessibility and safety problems, which will be further aggravated by the cancellation of the bypass project.
In a statement to the press, Lagos Câmara said the move will lower the quality of life of residents, who have to endure long hours stuck in traffic jams, and hinder economic and tourism growth.
The decision to cancel the road project followed the renegotiation of the EN125 redevelopment contract between the national road authority Estradas de Portugal and sub-concessionaire Rotas do Algarve Litoral, which included savings of €155 million.
The câmara’s statement continued: “Driving through the village of Odiáxere has become increasingly dangerous since the A22 tolls were introduced and the EN125 works were suspended (in March).” The Odiáxere bypass was expected to help resolve some of the traffic problems.
“It is absolute chaos to get to Lagos and other neighbouring councils (Aljezur and Vila do Bispo). The situation is creating a bad image for this Algarve sub-region, which should be safe and accessible if we are to become a competitive international tourist destination.”
In response to the various accessibility problems affecting the council, Lagos Mayor Júlio Barroso had said recently: “The council was the last to receive the Via do Infante. We waited from 1992 to 2003 – 11 years, so we have always been discriminated against as far as accessibility is concerned, something that has clearly impacted on our businesses, families and visitors.
“First, we were told no tolls would ever be introduced. Then we were told tolls would go ahead, but only after the EN125 redevelopment. Now we have tolls and the redevelopment of the EN125 is a mirage.”
He concluded by saying that citizens could not be expected to accept a government that only provides “unsafe or paid for roads”.
Last week, members of the Olhão Socialist (PS) party also slammed the cancellation of the bypass that would offer an alternative to the EN125 road that cuts through the city.
