A22 May Become a Toll Road

[James Faro]

While in the Algarve last week, I read that it is planned to make the A22 a toll road. That means more traffic on the alternative EN125 which is dangerous on a good day!

A campaign to stop this plan is already taken effect. While tourism is suffering at the moment this idea is totally crazy idea and will damage the tourist industry.

More details here:

http://www.algarveresident.com/story.asp?XID=38317

You can petition against this plan too, which is recommended if you visit CVO a lot or have property out there for rent.To petition: see the above link.

If the toll goes ahead €10 will be charged a day to use it.

[laserblazer]

There was a thread about this back in August.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=19168&p=177027&hilit=toll#p177027

[Gary/Gaynor]

I may be wrong, but when the EU financed the building of this road it was upon the agreement it would become a toll road which was meant to help pay back the costs.

Gary

[mac]

I also saw that in the local paper. It looks like it will be happening but before that the 125 it is going to be upgraded and will have a few million euros spent on it. Also, noone is sure how much the charge will be to use the motorway. The E10 charge might be for the whole length so from Faro to Lagoa may be E7ish which, let's face it, isn't so much in the great scheme of things.

[shanagarry]

While tourism is suffering at the moment

Not sure where you get your 'facts' from James - but this year Algarve tourism has been the best for 10 (ten) years

when the EU financed the building of this road it was upon the agreement it would become a toll road

Not sure either that the Algarve Resident or any other campaign is going to deter the authorities from imposing a fee to use the motorway (Gary's comment is spot on). I suspect it is similar to the much lauded 'cuts' in the UK - its just a matter of degree and not 'if'

[HampshireRich]

Does anyone know if taxis will have to pay the toll charge - adding 10euro onto the fare from the airport to Carvoeiro?

[shanagarry]

Apparently - they are still at the 'see what the reaction is' stage but are considering licensing and limiting the number of taxis/coaches/mini-buses for private hire that will be authorised to use the motorway (by way of an annual permit at a reduced price) and will issue a dongle or similar to fit inside each licensed vehicle. All those not licensed will have to pay the full toll - whatever they decide will result in more expensive airport taxi runs - make no mistake

[James Faro]

Not sure where you get your 'facts' from James - but this year Algarve tourism has been the best for 10 (ten) years

Simple! I asked the many business owners in CVO and surrounding areas about how this year has fared and the vast majority said it was bad and they are not hopeful for next year! Maybe you are confusing tourist numbers with spending power! Both are totally separate things! Don't believe what you read in the papers! Only last week in the Portugal News, I read that tourism was down in the Algarve and yet Lisbon Airport was doing exceedingly well with passenger traffic.

This A22 toll is bad news! Surprisingly the leader of the group opposing this toll is a left-wing politician. Maybe the Left in Portugal are intelligent unlike the left in the United Kingdom!

All this toll will do, if implemented, is drive cars onto the EN125 which is basically a dangerous funfair ride.

[laserblazer]

If business is down and visitor numbers are down, then that is bad news.

If business is down and numbers are up, then that's bad marketing.

[shanagarry]

Strange, those Restaurants I use regularly and would rely on to get an honest assessment(Maximes & Vale do Milho Restaurant) have both had exceptional years.

As for the motorway - if all the dangerous drivers take to the EN 125 - then the toll to ensure safety will be a sensible investment

[fmm]

Also have to say that I had to book to get into my favourite restaurants this summer and haven't had to do that for the past 3 years.

Taxi drivers will do well out of the toll road as they will automatically increase their fares to allow for it, irrespective of whether they have to pay the full toll or not!!!

[blue]

Most of the people we have spoken to have said tourism has been up this summer but largely thanks to the Northern Portuguese, Spanish & French. This October so far has been the busiest I've ever seen it.
When we first started coming to Carvoeiro over 20 years ago it used to take us over 2 hours to get from Faro airport to Carvoeiro on the N125 with terrible jams at places like Bouliqueme, Alcantarilha & Lagoa. It'll be even worse now with more traffic on the road.

[fmm]

For the sake of 10 euros saving over an hour of driving, I wouldn't think twice about using a toll road.

[R.Wethereyet]

.

[R.Wethereyet]

For the sake of 10 euros saving over an hour of driving, I wouldn't think twice about using a toll road.

The main problems will begin before you get onto or off the A22 around the Faro region, because if local industry and business users move back onto the EN125, the increase in traffic travelling on the EN125 through Faro will impact negatively on the stretch of road to and from the airport onto the A22.

Only yesterday morning I had to go to the airport to pick up my sister in law, very few cars on the road going into Faro, but unfortunately there had been a minor accident between two cars on the section near to the Mercedes dealer, which became a major incident thanks to the local police (3 cars and about 8 officers) attending the shunt. The delay to my journey was nearly three quarters of an hour. A nightmare scenario if the road was busy and we were travelling to catch a flight.

Imagine what it will be like trying to get into and out of the airport if the 125 becomes the primary route and is constantly gridlocked, which before the A22 was built was a frequent occurrence.

Yes the cost maybe 10 euros each way once onto the A22, but the delays, possible missed flights, leaving holiday accommodation hours earlier to avoid the former will have a negative impact for all.

Plus if they decide to use number plate image readers for charging PT registered vehicles, your credit/debit card will be at the mercy of the car rental agents who will be receiving these charges on your behalf.

It's the wider implications that are always forgotten about and that cost us dearly when these things occur.