by PAULO SILVESTRE paulo.silvestre@theresidentgroup.com
Portimão Mayor Manuel da Luz says the introduction of tolls at Via do Infante (A22) will have a negative effect on tourism from Spain.
“It worries me, especially because of the Spaniards. We have recorded an increase in visitors from Spain to the region and in Portimão council over the last two years,” he told Portuguese news agency Lusa.
“How will the Spaniards understand and accept that getting into the Algarve at Vila Real de Santo António they will have to pay for travel on the A22, when in their country, right next to ours, they do not pay any tolls.”
According to Barlavento newspaper the standards set by the Portuguese Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications, will force owners of vehicles registered abroad to purchase the electronic toll collection payment device or rent a temporary one to enter the Algarve.
The lease requires the payment of a deposit of 27 Euros and an initial charge of 50 to 100 Euros depending on whether it is a light or a heavy vehicle. The charge is only refundable when paying by credit card. For those paying in cash to use the A22 road it will make a short one-off journey of 20 kilometres, for example from Vila real de Santo António to Tavira, cost 50 Euros.
The Algarve Resident contacted the Portuguese Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications but no one was available to make a comment. Manuel da Luz added: “The introduction of tolls on the road is unwise for various reasons, but mainly because it will have a direct negative impact on tourism in the region.”
Commenting on the new government proposal to bring forward the introduction of tolls, he said: “It makes no sense and is an affront to the Algarve to consider the introduction of tolls on the A22 road before the EN125 road is redeveloped.”
Meanwhile the A22 users commission, Comissão de Utentes, presented a draft resolution for the suspension of the tolls on October 28 at the Assembly of the Republic.
A spokesman from the left-wing political party BE told the Algarve Resident: “Via do Infante is a fundamental road in the Algarve. The charging of tolls will result in loss of competitiveness in the region with an incalculable damage to the regional economy and tourism.”
He added: “We have proposed that the Assembly of the Republic recommend to the Government the suspension of the introduction of tolls on the A22 road, which is now expected to come in force before the scheduled date that was April 15, 2011.”
