The new square

[Barry]

Still not sure about the square, until we see how the traffic is handled. But the out road is working really well, though it currently benefits from being pretty well complete but having no traffic. Last night there was a "stage" erected on the pavement opposite Oasis, with Beto Kalulu performing. The bars and restaurants surrounding the area were packed, and the general area really busy. It was a very pleasant evening.

[kteee]

Went down to the village for one of my rare outings last night! The out road looks great, I can't believe how much extra space there is for pedestrians on both sides of the road - lots of people sitting outside the bars and restaurants, families with buggies able to get around easily - totally different atmosphere to how it was before. Ok, there is still no traffic at the moment, but once the road re-opens, the pavements are so wide that it will be the cars in the minority rather than the pedestrians

The square is looking good too - at least now there is only a narrow road to cross and single file traffic, rather than trying to negotiate the whole of the square with traffic coming at you from all directions. If they install a few benches then I think they will have done a good job

We did see some cars trying to go up the beach road by the ice cream shop - please remember this is now 'down' only - and it's worth getting into the habit of not going through the village unless you actually need to. For Rocha Brava, ADM, VDM, the Almansor, Hotel Cristal etc, take the left turn at the traffic lights just past Intermarche and use the back roads - it will probably save you time, and will ease the amount of traffic in the village.

I understand that the plan for the next stage of improvements, to be carried out in the winter, is to make the road through Monte Dourado one way, 'down' only, with no parking except in the parking bays. The corner at A Vela will also be extended to narrow the road and widen the pavement

[Sandy]

Thanks Karen - great report.

[SJ & RE]

Fab report, much needed to allay the fears of some, thank you

[Rob F]

The out road looks great, I can't believe how much extra space there is for pedestrians on both sides of the road - lots of people sitting outside the bars and restaurants, families with buggies able to get around easily - totally different atmosphere to how it was before.

Yep, that part looks great! Let's just hope the Estrada do Farol (Restaurant Hill) will receive the same treatment.

[sanreen]

Karen,
Is Restaurant Hill going to remain one way or is it going to revert to 2 way again?

[kteee]

I don't know - we didn't go up that far, but someone told me a proper 'no entry' sign had been put into the pavement at the Xico Zé/Lanterna Velha corner, not just the temporary barrier that has been there for a while, so perhaps!

[sanreen]

Thanks for the reply Karen, I suppose we will just have to wait and see. I am still a little concerned about the traffic speed on the Dourado Hill. Maybe they should consider speed bumps to control the speed

[e-richard]

They have also erected no parking signs on the hill up to Monte Dourado, in front of the municipal market.

Someone recently told me that the new layout has removed 162 parking places from central Carvoeiro.

I'm sure new spaces are being added out of town, but that's a rather large number don't you think !

Mind you, walking around now is really a pleasure.

[cereza]

[quote="kteee"]Went down to the village for one of my rare outings last night! The out road looks great, I can't believe how much extra space there is for pedestrians on both sides of the road - lots of people sitting outside the bars and restaurants, families with buggies able to get around easily - totally different atmosphere to how it was before. Ok, there is still no traffic at the moment, but once the road re-opens, the pavements are so wide that it will be the cars in the minority rather than the pedestrians

The square is looking good too - at least now there is only a narrow road to cross and single file traffic, rather than trying to negotiate the whole of the square with traffic coming at you from all directions. If they install a few benches then I think they will have done a good job

We did see some cars trying to go up the beach road by the ice cream shop - please remember this is now 'down' only - and it's worth getting into the habit of not going through the village unless you actually need to. For Rocha Brava, ADM, VDM, the Almansor, Hotel Cristal etc, take the left turn at the traffic lights just past Intermarche and use the back roads - it will probably save you time, and will ease the amount of traffic in the village.

I understand that the plan for the next stage of improvements, to be carried out in the winter, is to make the road through Monte Dourado one way, 'down' only, with no parking except in the parking bays. The corner at A Vela will also be extended to narrow the road and widen the pavement[/quote]

Mostly agree with you ktee but I still wonder how the traffic will operate when it is finished. The outlined drive in front of Soares surely is not big enough and what will happen as traffic come down both hillside roads. However the opening up to the whole area for pedestrians is brilliant. The runway sytle path towards the beach reminds me of an aircraft carrier.
Certainly a few benches would be nice and I am not personally too fond of the trees in boxes but even with the few possible problems I think the whole effect is a massive improvement.

[kteee]

I think once the out road is open, the only ways to exit the square will be via Rua do Barranco or Estrada do Farol - the only purpose for the opening in front of the wine shop that I can think of, is to allow the taxis to go round the square and back up Estrada do Farol, otherwise they would have to go down the out road, back in the in road, round the square and up Estrada do Farol - or do 3 point turns, which would cause havoc!!

[Barry]

The assistant in Soares confirmed that what looks like a road in front of the store will be just that. She was concerned that the road is too close to her shop. She was not certain whether the current roadway would return to pedestrian use, or remain as is.

[jules23]

Hi, can anybody let me know what the situation is with 'Disabled Parking' please. Having been to Carvoeiro several times in the past I was aware of very few dedicated places, a couple of these being conveniently outside the Carvoeiro Sol Hotel. I assume these are no longer there with the new square and wondered if any places had been allocated to replace these or if any extra spaces have been marked out anywhere. Thanks

[kteee]

I think there may be some disabled spaces outside the Irish Times

[jules23]

Thank you. Where about is that situated please?
Just looked it up - on Rua dos Pescadores. Is that the 'in' road?