the tolls ..they is a comming......

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 7:54 pm

yes todays "resident" (AKA the rodent) says that it is amost certain tolls will be levied on the trans algarve motorway that was built with E: U: cash..this is despite all the pressure put on by local business saying it will harm the only industry in the algarve..ie. tourism

but then of course what else can we expect...attacks on the property market via offshore....which my lawyer said this week had adversely affected the property market-...now tolls on the only motorway in the algarve...whats next...a "valencia land grab scheme"!!!!!

of course we understand the need for govt revenue...it will be needed to pay for the unemployment benefit ....social security.....retraining costs...all of which created and caused by...yes...a toll on a motorway already paid for by europe.

with friends like this ...who need enemies

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 9:41 am

The motorway is a public road, paid for by public funds (EU funds are going to have to be paid back at some point) and supposedly we pay annual road tax for the upkeep of such roads.

Now how are you going to mobilize a bunch of lethargic "chronical moaners" to stop whining and take this to the EU for scrutiny?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 1:34 pm

me versus the portuguese goverment..i wouldnt even bother with the cost of a stamp..if all the business leaders, camara prseidents cant do anyhtin ..do u think I can?

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:28 pm

No, you are absolutely right, this issue has to be taken up on european level.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 9:57 pm

according to the news,,...any tolls will levied on tourists only...now that has to be the best way to encourage tourism

petermeachem · Post by **petermeachem** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 10:00 pm

Why do some motorways have tolls and some not? Lisbon to Faro, for instance does. Were they financed in different ways.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 10:08 pm

yes they were...lisbon to albufeira by brisa...the trans algarve motorway was paid for mostly by e.u..

those who thought the offshore wouldnt take place were wrong..anyone who thinks this wont happen in my humble opinion they will also be wrong.

after a very bad year, instead of encouraging tourism, they now intend to tax it .......and now i read in the news that leading tourism companies have had a meting callling an end to beaucracy for large projects....i will let you into a little secret they also said at the same meeting that the moon is made of cheese!!!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 12:42 am

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DIDN'T SEE THE ORIGINAL, SERIOUS ARTICLE
In a bid to avoid committing political suicide, the Portuguese government has revealed, following its announcement that all seven existing toll-free motorways will be charged as from next year, that local residents will be exempt for a period of between three to four years.

While no definite dates or values have been confirmed, it is expected that a trip along the A22 Algarve motorway from Lagos to Vila Real Santo António will cost eight euros. Certain observers have claimed the toll gates will be in use by January, others suggesting March, while local politicians believe tolls will only be levied following the local municipal elections, set for December 2005.

In a bid to avert a promised revolt by local politicians, many of whom belonging to the ruling PSD-PP coalition, Minister of Public Works, António Mexia went to the Algarve this week to explain the government’s motives and armed with an olive leaf, saying the government would grant local residents exemption from tolls.

According to the Minister, 240 million euros will be spent on improving alternative routes to the A22, arguing that funds for this project will be obtained from the expected 500 million-euro per annum saving the state will achieve by charging the so-called ‘SCUT’ toll-free motorways.

Local residents will be exempt for a period of up to four years, after which the government will reassess the situation, taking into consideration earning power in the region – with the Algarve currently being one of the “wealthiest”.

However, it is expected that local residents will only gain exemption for a round-trip amounting to 60 kilometres, or a maximum of 30 kilometres in one direction. Therefore, a trip from Portimão to Faro will cost a local resident, albeit less than what “outsiders” would pay.

The vehicles of local residents are to be identified with the ‘Via Verde’ method in use by road company Brisa, allowing locals to drive through tolls without stopping or paying.

Regional authorities, despite the “concessions” made by the government, are still critical of the move, arguing that foreign tourists, “who are not accustomed to paying tolls” will be put off coming to the Algarve, and could select “toll-free” Spain as their holiday venue.

In addition, local officials argue that since the completion of the A22, road deaths on the EN125 have dropped, and that the introduction of tolls will inevitably result in greater traffic on this “street”, and subsequently, an increase in accidents, injuries and deaths.[/size]

adam · Post by **adam** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:31 am

Thanks for this posting guest - very interesting and a bit worrying. It could be a backward step on the tourism front. I've used the motorway often before returning to the airport, thus spending more time (and money) in CVO.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:30 am

yes vital that tolls must be levied...they will be needed to pay for the disability, sick days. widows pensions, hospital care ...all created by forcing people from a "safe road" to what has been described (and rightly) the en125 .."the most dangerous road in europe"

tourists of course WILL come here once ..but when they start having to pay tolls will no doubt go somewhere else next time like spain.....then the govt can put the tolls on the residents to help pay for unemployment benefit for those out of work affected by the almost certain downturn in tourism.

its a good thing those in power have brains

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 12:32 pm

So it will be almost like the UK then . . . . . .

Aardvark · Post by **Aardvark** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 1:15 pm

At the moment I pay each time I use the IP1.Do any board members use the via verde pass. If so how was it obtained and how are costs calculated?

Thanks

tricky · Post by **tricky** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 1:29 pm

I don't agree that tolls will stop tourists from visiting.
More UK residents visit France each year than any other country
and the tolls there are widespread. I don't mind paying to drive on a traffic free road, but have major sympathies for residents.

Tricky

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 1:44 pm

It wouldnt put me off coming back to Portugal - and if outsiders are being vetted as being possible terrorists as well then maybe its a good idea?

And anything that helps stop unnecessary car journeys is always good for the environment

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Oct 12, 2004 9:26 pm

Since when did tolls have anything to do with anti-terrorism or indeed for pro environment. Environmentally they will cause more pollution by having traffic queue for toll boths or drive on congested roads, rather driving at a car's most efficient engine/road speed range as on a motorway.