As I watched in dismay how some poor sods turned up market hill only to get lost on the back roads of Carvoeiro never to be seen again, I would just like to point out that: When you enter Carvoeiro from the east and are forced to turn right up market hill, you need to look out for the yellow and black signs indicating "DESVIO" to find your way back on to the desired route into the centre.

For some reason that sign is missing at the bottom of market hill making it a bit difficult to relate to when you pass it halfway up that road.

The signs still don,t stop the idiots driving down the hill against the traffic coming uo.

The road is not one-way EMM, it has been conditioned to reduce pressure on the junction infront of Smilers - people who live or work can drive in and the commerce certainly needs their customers to be able to approach their shops between the barricade and Smilers without having to take the grand tour around Monte Dourado.

Has it been changed then, just two weeks ago it was buses only could enter downhill , all other traffic had to go into town via the diverso and enter uphill.
One day there was even a GNR car at the top end to make sure that the signs were followed.

I agree that delivery trucks and business owners should have access but how do you keep the rest of the traffic out.

The sign still reads one-way except for buses and taxis, but a number of residents still insist on driving down there.
I never really saw the point of making it one way to force people to go around because the number of cars that have to pass the building site is not reduced.
At least the people driving in at the top can opt to exit via the school road or turn back the way they came instead of having to pass the square.

I followed the subtle 'desvio' sign a couple of weeks ago then got lost as there were no more signs and I'd never been up the road past the municipal market. However,I was interested to see the market was there but got fed up turning around.

We, the shop and restaurantowners of Rua do barranco (the way out), are very worried because the council wants to proceed the roadworks on our street into the summer. This will probably cause serious problems for some of the companies in our street. We have send a petition to the council but.... no answer.(!!!) One of these days we might block the road to get some attention from the media.

We appreciate any support to stop the council from doing this.

The Camara are responsible for causing utter chaos around the whole of Carvoeiro.

If coming from Monte Carvoeiro area the detour is approx. 4 kms. You now have to drive west towards Sesmarias, turn down to L'Orange. head back to Solferias, continue down to Dirty Nellies and onto the old in road, turn left at the back of BPI, turn left again onto the out/in road (The road to the square is now shut off) turn right up to Dourada and then right again down past the market, and hey presto you are in town.

Other problems we now have to contend with are the lower area of Monte Dourada and also market hill now being 'No Parking'.

To make matters worse. the GNR are now being even more petty with their 'Stop & Check' policy for paperwork, ID etc. and are also using this as a reason to carry out a breath test. I have been stopped twice this week, both times during the day, and every time was zero on the test. When I questioned the officer on the last occasion why this was happening so often, he replied it was helping to cut down crime!!!!

Ironically, the Portugal News headline yesterday stated that on average over 330,000 euros per day was being collected from motorists in Portugal, for driving infringements.

Still when we are all bankrupt from lost business caused by this mayhem, there will be enough money in the state coffers to help us out.

This morning all 3 roads into town were blocked off by the square, there are a number of new road signs covered up so all should be revealed soon !!

As to increased GNR action there does appear to be a national campaign on to catch non Portuguese reg cars that have overstayed and should have left the country.

Reports on other forums and local comments indicate that UK cars are being targeted as we are seen as the main culprits ( judging by the number of GB reg cars seen time after time they may be correct )

I am going to be travelling in from Faro airport going to Casa Mouraria, will this impact me? Im getting a bit nervous about annoying people by travelling up the wrong way Help!

we are coming to carvoeiro on the 11th of june, its our third trip in the last three years, we recieved a letter today from our travel agent to say that the square is having building work done, & if we want to swap resorts we can.we love carvoeiro but can anybody tell us how bad the work is or is it very noisey? we are staying at the hotel next to bradys irish bar i think its called michinorro hotel, not sure ive spelt that right!!!

any info much apprieciated

tkk

The roadworks are nowhere near Bradys and form regular observation there is very little noise.

The only inconvenience is for motorists who do not know the new road system and fewer parking places , overall it will be a great improvement to CVO.

My apartment is next to the Mirachor and there is no WAY you will hear noise from the square from there!!! You will have a peaceful holiday - so don' worry.

We stayed at the Mirachoro a couple of years ago, for a long weekend over the early May BH. I can't imagine you'll hear anything from The Square up there.
Been visiting Carvoeiro for 8 years now and i fear for Carvoeiro over the next few years. The disruption WILL put 1st time visitors off. Those staying out of the centre, but venturing in to town could be put off by the continuing work; even those of us who've been visiting for years.

The current economic climate, incl. the euro/pound exchange rate will mean that those who've already booked for this summer will be looking for value for money and will not eat out every night. and if money is tight they will expect maximum value from their holiday abroad. If they don't get it they MAY not return in the following years.
IMO Carvoeiro will have to work extra hard this summer to convince people to return in future years. Some bars and restaurants will close; it's possible that only the best will survive - harsh economic truth i'm afraid - and not something i like to write. I posted on here the other week that it seems that Caroeiro has been progressively getting quieter and quieter over the years. OK if you like it that way, but ultimately businesses linked to tourism find it difficult to survive.

I've noticed via the webcams that O Barco has not been open; is this going to continue?

Despite all i've wrote we're very much looking to our annual visit (this year in September); hope Carvoeiro continues 'to deliver'.

thanks for the replies, dont think we are going to cancel our holiday to carvoeiro, what is the state of the square? is it like a building site?

thanks

tkk