Around 100 people took part in a meeting on Saturday (November 23) to discuss the controversial construction of a new bridge over the Gilão River in Tavira.
In a statement sent to the press by Tavira Sempre, the citizens’ group says that many people, including specialists from different areas, expressed their worries about the negative impact the bridge’s construction would have on the town.
At the heart of the protests is the fact that the new bridge is being built without “any kind of public discussion”, that it does not fit the town’s characteristic architecture and that it will only bring more cars into the historic centre.
They also highlighted the project’s lack of an environmental impact study, which locals say that despite not being mandatory should have been carried out and would have allowed locals to speak out.
Also criticised was the council’s lack of ability to hear the population.
“It’s hard to understand how the voices that criticised the project over the years were never heard. This is not a democracy,” they said.
The locals also called for the council to start an “open debate”, which they believe would lead to the suspension of the current works.
Over a week ago, Tavira Council defended its position saying that it was “always transparent” about its plans (click here).
