Summary:
BE Algarve celebrates the abolition of tolls on the Via do Infante/A22 as a significant victory.
Tolls were initially imposed in December 2011 by the PSD/CDS government, supported by PS.
Despite numerous attempts, BE's proposals to eliminate tolls were blocked by major political parties.
The socialist government under AntĂłnio Costa failed to fulfill promises made to the Algarve in 2015.
The tolls caused economic harm and increased traffic accidents, pushing users to a congested alternative route.
The Bloco de Esquerda (BE) Algarve has expressed its heartfelt congratulations on the recent abolition of tolls on the Via do Infante/A22, which took effect on January 1. This long-awaited decision is seen as a victory for the community, following years of advocacy against the tolls imposed by the previous PSD/CDS government in December 2011, with support from the PS.
In a statement released today, BE Algarve highlighted that despite presenting numerous initiatives in the Assembly of the Republic aimed at eliminating these tolls, their proposals were consistently blocked by the PS, PSD, CDS/PP, Chega, and IL. A notable exception was a resolution passed in June 2020, initiated by BE, which called for the removal of tolls, though the socialist government under AntĂłnio Costa failed to implement it.
BE criticized Costa for not fulfilling his promise made in 2015 to end tolls in the Algarve, stating that the PS owed a debt to the region and its residents. Now, BE demands the removal of toll gantries, proper maintenance of the Via do Infante, and transparency regarding the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) contract, which allegedly contains secret clauses.
The party emphasized the significant negative impact the tolls had over 13 years, pushing users onto the EN 125, a congested urban road that led to numerous accidents and economic setbacks for local businesses. While the toll operator profited substantially, the Algarve's competitiveness suffered in comparison to neighboring Andalusia.
BE also acknowledged the grassroots efforts of the ComissĂŁo de Utentes da Via do Infante and the persistence of the Algarve community in fighting for the abolition of tolls, stating that without this collective struggle, the recent legislative victory would not have been possible.
“It is always worth fighting, and this victorious struggle proves it,” the BE Algarve concluded.
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