news item about "The Square"

[heini]

The "New Square" has been so ill conceived from the very outset, nothing good has been achieved and tons of money went down the drain. Algar Seco "improvenment" will probably fall into the category.
Look for the article "Carvoeiro unites" in the right hand corner:
http://www.theportugalnews.com/

[EMM]

Very OLD news that has been discussed on this forum some time ago.

The prime movers are a few local businesses that have lost out ( Smilers for one ). There is also a growing feeling from others that the changes have bought a new better environment to the village.

[pato]

Very OLD news that has been discussed on this forum some time ago.

The prime movers are a few local businesses that have lost out ( Smilers for one ). There is also a growing feeling from others that the changes have bought a new better environment to the village.

Can't see that, the place was the place we all fell in love with 30 years ago. Change for the sake of change is counter productive, as I've said before, it would look great on a set of archtectural drawing and that's where it should have remained, how can I paint a picture of the square with al those chromium plated sticks and trees in pots, what a waste of cash.

[tricky]

Looks like the Mayor is going to do the Square route of nothing about it.

[EMM]

Pato 30 years ago you did NOt have cars parked on every metre of available pavement and the number of vistors was a fraction of what it is now!.
Change was essential and part of that was to get cars out of the village centre.

How long did it take to get from Faro by donkey cart anyway ?? :evil

[laserblazer]

Looks like the Mayor is going to do the Square route of nothing about it.

Do you know that for a fact tricky or is it just a hypotenuse? Are we looking at this from the right angle?

[Lamby]

Hi. From Pato with 30 years experience to little old me who has just returned from his first visit. All those in our party agreed the square and surrounding area looked good with the "cobbles" etc..... However, the underlying and repeated comment amongst our small group was the fact that the sqaure and area around was crying out to be car free and pedestrianised. I obviously realise the major implications of this and re-routing cars in and out and parking away from the centre but I can't help thinking it would be better. Sorry if this has been posted and commented on before, just a thought from a guy who has only just fallen in love with CVO.
One downside would be I would then miss sitting outside at Smilers Bar watching dodgy tourist drivers negotiating the junction and trying to decide who gives way to who!!!

[Lesley Jean]

Lamby, I agree it would be so much nicer to have the square pedestrianised the cars could go across in front of the wine shop as they used to allowing the square to become a nice place to sit and walk and for entertainment during the summer.

[EMM]

Well said lamby, it is the opinions of NEW visitors ( most of who seem very positive about the changes ) that matter as they are the future of the village.
IN Switzerland and Austria many of the small alpine villages have retained their " old world " atmosphere by banning the car.
Out of town car parks and free transfer systems service the needs of both vistors and residents.

In Albufeira/Alvor hand and electric trucks are used to deliver goods to places in the pedestrian zones.

Hopefully the next stage in carvoeiro will be vehicle parking at the top of the village with free transfers ( electric bus or train ) around the centre.

[pato]

Pato 30 years ago you did NOt have cars parked on every metre of available pavement and the number of vistors was a fraction of what it is now!.
Change was essential and part of that was to get cars out of the village centre.

How long did it take to get from Faro by donkey cart anyway ?? :evil

Correction, I've been visiting for 30 years and had a place there for twenty five of those years and can order a round of drinks in Potuguese OK!.
It's not a "village" anyway it's a thriving town, and where do you think they'll accomodate the cars? the ammount of spaces they've cleared is minimal, you can't get anywhere anyway because the road is always under repair, it's a mess of massive proportions, they've made the main square a patio, I'm fed up seeing the council lorries being the star attraction on the Ice Cream camera.

[TomUK]

I wonder how many column inches have been posted on these forums about the square!

Lesley Jean and EMM have echoed my thoughts in previous posts on the subject - i.e. traffic should cross the square on hard wearing cobbles in front of the wine shop if access is essential, leaving the majority of the square traffic free and pedestrians safer. However, surely there is land available on the outskirts for the council to create a parking area which could be served by the tourist train for a 'Park & Ride' system.

[snowytheboy]

I noticed recently the area of ground at the top of restaurant hill that was used last year as parking for the 'park n ride' is now all overgrown and also appears to be for sale.

[Bruce Wallis]

I noticed recently the area of ground at the top of restaurant hill that was used last year as parking for the 'park n ride' is now all overgrown and also appears to be for sale.

That car park was very useful last year.....if the ground hasnt been sold, I wonder if they will open it up again this year???

[shanagarry]

It's time to bite the bullet and pedestrianise an area from The Square up to the cross roads adjacent to the Santander Totta Bank - The in-road by the Post Office and the out-road to the junction with the cut through from the in-road - The Square up to the GNR Station and on the other side The Square up to the junction with the road that runs at right angles by the O Castelo Indian restaurant. There should be a regular shuttle train/bus paid for by businesses. Clearly there would be access for emergency vehicles - but nothing else. (not even Taxis).

I support the Mayor's view - but believe he should go further.

The road that comes down from the school to Estrado do Farol could be used as a service road for medium sized delivery vehicles to offload (onto battery powered trolleys) - with the end of that road widened to provide a turning space. During evenings it could be used as the Taxi rank.

There will be arguments about clients/guests getting to the Carvoeiro Sol Hotel with their luggage - an extended Golf Buggy with seats and carrying capacity for suitcases is a practical and affordable solution. These can be leased inexpensively.

I realise it will cause chaos initially - but it has to be done but people will get used to it. We are in 2010 - a time where progressive town centres are regularly 'cleansed' of traffic and congestion. Businesses will be up in arms - because deliveries will be impacted - something that requires planning. Delivery slots can be allocated to businesses between, say 7.00am and 9.00am with suppliers being instructed to deliver using battery powered trolleys if their vehicles exceed a particular size and weight.

As The Square stands at present, it is only a matter of time before there is a fatal accident - due to people inadvertently wandering into the road (I know - I've done it and I've been visiting since 1983). I live in Chichester and saw the introduction of a pedestrian precinct in 1975 - that initially caused mayhem - but is now a feature and works perfectly.

I can hear all the 'naysayers' droning on about the difficult economic times and business being affected because people will bypass if they can't get easy access to restaurants, bars, shops etc. There is no easy access now - resulting in dangerous driving, maneuvering and parking combined with unacceptable amounts of CO2 . Move with the times and return our little piece of heaven into the peaceful village that attracted us all in the first place. While I am not a great fan of Villamoura - their marina pedestrian area shows what can be achieved with some forethought.

[EMM]

Hear Hear, lets start our own petition .