Algarve anti-toll campaigners fully behind proposed tourist tax

The Via do Infante Users’ Commission, CUVI, fully supports the Left Bloc proposal to fund the Algarve’s motorway from a regional tourist tax.

Whether the proposal is accepted as part of the 2018 State Budget, or not, the Commission continues to appeal to the Government to fulfill the pre-election promises made by the current prime minster, that the region would be rid of the tolls.

For the Users’ Commission, this is a good opportunity “to end once and for all the calamity that has plagued the region for almost six years,” – the Via do Infante tolls were introduced on December 8, 2011 by the previous right wing coalition government, with the cheery support of the Socialist Party.

CUVI stated today that in addition to the serious damage that continues to affect the regional economy and mobility in the Algarve, one of the most damaging aspects is the number of road accidents on the ‘alternative’ EN125, which has become “a dangerous urban street with many deadly traps.”

The Commission says that the remodeling of the EN125 between Olhão and Vila Real de Santo António has not yet started and the work between Olhão and Vila do Bispo in the western Algarve, leaves much to be desired and has serious technical shortcomings.