By PAULO SILVESTRE [email protected]
Residents opposed to the introduction of tolls on the A22 road (Via do Infante) will be taking to the streets on October 5, exactly a year after the first protest.
Tolls are closer to becoming a reality in the Algarve as all measures are now in place for the collection of cash, with national roads company Estradas de Portugal (EP) just waiting for legislation to be passed by the government.
The organisations involved in the fight met last week in Loulé and outlined the details for the latest protest, which will be called A Luta Continua Sempre (The Fight will Always Continue).
The slow march event will involve various types of vehicles, from motorcycles to light and heavy vehicles, and will be held between 2pm and 8pm over 120 kilometres of the EN125 and A22.
Meeting points
There will be four main starting points: Altura in Castro Marim council near the roundabout of the restaurant O Infante on the EN125 at 2pm, Parque das Feiras in Portimão from 2.30pm, Tavira at Moinhos roundabout near the access to Via do Infante at 3pm and Vale Paraíso area in Albufeira council at 3pm.
A spokesman from the organisers told the Algarve Resident: “All participants will meet at Parque das Cidades (Estádio do Algarve), and from this location at 4pm we will continue the protest to Faro, passing through Patacão area, the airport roundabout, the roundabout of Forum Algarve and the roundabout of Faro Municipal Theatre.” He added that they are in permanent contact with Spanish businesses and politicians from the Andalusia region, who are also against the introduction of tolls in the region, and anticipate their participation in the protest.
This slow march is organised by the Comissão de Utentes da A22 (A22 users’ commission), the group Portagens na A22 Não (No Tolls on the A22), Faro citizens association Com Faro no Coração (CFC) and Moto Clube Faro (Faro motorcycle club).
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