Several business owners in Lagoa are up in arms over the “chaos” the town centre has been plunged into since the start of a €420,000 revamp project.
According to local newspaper Gazeta de Lagoa, the renovations have had a negative impact on businesses as it is difficult to walk or drive in the town centre, which has kept almost everyone, except residents, away.
The paper adds that locals believe the works should be carried out in stages so as not to keep people away from the town centre and shops empty.
The renovations started three weeks ago on several of Lagoa’s main streets and squares, namely near the CTT post office, CGD bank and the local church.
The local delegation of political party Bloco de Esquerda (BE) weighed in by slamming the council for “only contacting these three entities”, leaving other smaller businesses without a chance to express their opinion about the project.
However, in an interview with Sulinformação in September, mayor Francisco Martins said the project was subjected to a period of public discussion with residents and business owners, whom he said “gave their opinions which were taken into account in the final version”.
The renovations are expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2017.
