news item about "The Square"

[bulldodge]

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???

Try telling the bar,shop and restaurant owners that were near to the park and ride last summer or at the top of the hill that it was a good idea! the parking was good! But when people/customers park and then ride right past your business and go to shops/bars/restaurants in the square where they are dropped off to eat drink and spend money and then ride right past again to get back in their cars! then it doesn't seem such a good idea

[Bruce Wallis]

I understand that, but how many actually used the ride element??
I reckon more people parked and walked down.

I do agree that many restaurants felt that they were being disadvantaged by the system.

The question is if that goes.....where the hell do you park in and around Carvoeiro?? They've removed all the parking in the town square....and the new multi story hasnt happened yet has it?

[HampshireRich]

The problem Carvoeiro has for tourists is also its major asset - the hills surrounding the beach. Removing the parking from the square (good idea from my point of view as I walk everywhere) means there needs to be another large area allocated for parking. Whichever way you look at it, it means hills to walk up or down - unless there are good park and ride schemes which stop along the way rather than just going from top to bottom. Walking up and down (I always stay at Monte Carvoeiro, which means big steps or a long hill walk) is OK unless you have elderly/infirm relatives or young children and pushchairs - then, as I have found with both ways, it becomes a problem.

Park and Ride schemes with multi-stops are fine, but then the traffic would need to be banned (or severley restricted to traders/residents) otherwise the buses will add to the traffice chaos. Also, where would the car-park be - say there is a need for 200 spaces - is there enough land anywhere close - and what would the operating hours be.

They cannot allow street parking up the hills as this would also cause chaos and upset the residents or traders.

There is some "waste land" on the MC side that could be used, but it would impact Monte Carvoeiro and Monte Santo with traffic.

Personally, I'm completely devoid of any ideas - has anyone got any ideas?

[shanagarry]

Plenty of areas for parking areas that could be adapted - assuming common sense prevails.

- The area set aside at the top of Estrado do Farol could be serviced by a shuttle service
- The area at Algar Seco
- There is an area to the north of Monte Carvoeiro - that could be converted into parking (it is currently overgrown)
- There is roadside parking (both sides) on the approach road to the village from Lagoa - which leaves plenty of space for the traffic to get past
- The shuttle would have frequent defined stops in and around the suggested pedestrianised area

None of this is very difficult if approached with an open and logical mind and bear in mind we are only talking about this being a 'problem' in July and August - when people are on holiday. Why does everybody need to take their car into the village when they could walk - holidays are about doing things you don't do at other times - relaxing, exercise, taking the air etc. Then there are taxis if you need to be transported. I would even go so far as to suggest that restaurants looking for business should provide transport for their clients to get to them and to take them home afterwards.

In the busy months the Camara could open the pedestrianised area to market stalls during the evening hours - bringing back the Portuguese 'feel' and creating a traditional ambiance.

The issue here is that many businesses have had it easy for too long and in the changing world we see evolving every day - they will have to find new ways to win business - standing still is not an option as neither is going back to the old ways. Booking a table and taxi at the same time should be done as a matter of course and is not 'rocket science'. Many restauranteurs have their preferred taxi driver(s) - why don't they turn that relationship into something more enterprising. The old adage of making it easy for people to do business with you - is the way things are going to be as the world goes through this change cycle.

The introduction of clear and unambiguous signage to parking areas and transport would help to make the Carvoeiro Experience a great deal more enjoyable.

When we go into the village (July & August), we take a taxi - at other times we park at the top of the hill by Barclays Bank or at the Mirachoro and walk down and back. What about the elderly and infirm will be the next question - taxis or as suggested in my earlier post - the shuttle. For those with specially adapted vehicles - dedicated spaces on the periphery of the pedestrianised area.

Where there's a will there's a way

[EMM]

No doubt there will be many rules and regs associated with the use of shuttles, but why dont the developments such as QDP, Monte Santo, etc run evening shuttles. It is probable that most of their clients come into town anyway at some time.
It would also be a usefull marketing tool.
Such shuttles are common around albufeira so it can be done.

We rarely drive in and if we do its usually just as far as Monte Carvoeiro where there is ample parking and we make a point of letting anyone staying in our villa know this as well and the response has been very positive.

Do other villa owners let their guests know of the parking issues and of ways to avoid them ?
Judging by the number of hire cars doing circuits around the village it would appear that not all do.

[laserblazer]

QDP does run a shuttle.

[ANDY]

Vale De Milho Golf Club will be running a shuttle this year for its customers.

[shanagarry]

Where there's a will there's a way - and it appears that some have grasped that concept - now for the others.

I don't know if there is a Chamber of Commerce or similar for Carvoeiro - if not - they should consider some form of association that meets regularly and is recognised by the Camara to discuss the way their town is run and the impact, negative or positive it has on their businesses. The current self-interest group have only just formed to fight The Square 'imposition' - which to my way of thinking should have been formed when the matter was at the planning stages. Closing the stable door after the horse has bolted comes to mind and is very much the line being taken by the Mayor - hardly surprising.

Forethought and lack of leadership are notable absentees here

[EMM]

What exactly has the Mayor said ?
What was his reaction to the petition ?

[shanagarry]

This is an extract from the article published in The Portugal News

Something people can’t have is everything. First it is space for esplanades then parking”, he retorted, stressing further, “People have been used to making good money, but families cannot afford to spend anymore and there is no point in deluding ourselves that things will go back to how they were”.

[TomUK]

Shanagarry - the three or four posts you have just submitted have one fatal flaw - they are too sensible and logical!

So I fear that, on past record, they won't be implemented by the authorities, and they will just stumble along as they are now.

The land mentioned at the top of restaurant hill is where I normally park, so hopefully it will remain available. So far, the walk up and down the hill is not too much for me and my better half.

[mur]

Hi all,
First time post...
July will see our third visit to Carvoeiro since 2007. We have 2 young kids and part of the fun is strolling down the hill to the square of a sunny evening.
We sit around the square or wander around town with the kids in buggies. I have never parked in town so fail to see the problem with the new layout. We really enjoy the atmosphere around the square particularly the entertainment at night and when the night is over we take a taxi home.
We don't come to Carvoeiro for the parking, we come for the warm, friendly and safe atmosphere.
Roll on July,
mur

[shanagarry]

TomUK

We can live in hope - but I fear you are right

[Lamby]

Good post Shanagarry.
One thing no one has mentioned is the noise of the vehicles driving over the cobbles. Sitting in Ele & Ela with cars just inches away does cause a noise disruption - particularly if some boy racer goes too fast.
To have people meandering past enjoying the evening sun is so much better than cars, noise and pollution.
Also, I am ashamed to admit I didn't "use" the beach at CVO as I found it imposing with so many vehicles continually driving past so near the beach front.
Just a thought

[EMM]

The Algarve Resident carries an article today about the " anti improvement " group.
Their meeting was attended by 50 people.

Their complaints seem to be that " locals have nowhere to park ", not an unreasonable complaint and that visitors drive through the village and move on as they are unable to park, " pure conjecture."

I still believe that none of places around the square will lose out but and also that those at the top end of the roads, in Monte Carvoeiro and further out will benefit from the changes.