Tavira citizens request a pedestrian bridge to Cabanas island

The group “For the construction of a pedestrian bridge to the island of Cabanas” launched an online petition almost a year ago, that proposes the creation of a wooden crossing that connects Cabanas, in Tavira, and the barrier island of Ria Formosa located in front of the village, with an aim to “avoid long lines” for maritime-tourist vessels that connect the two points, a spokesman told Lusa.

The lack of security, the huge number of passengers in the summer and the improved access surely justify the construction of a pedestrian bridge between Cabanas de Tavira and the beach on the island of Cabanas. In the main summer months, the vessels responsible for transporting passengers between the two banks of the river are loaded with people, especially for the return journey to the village at the end of the day, with “a high number circulating boats causing damage to the environment and to maritime safety.

The project could also guarantee “access to the beach throughout the year without depending on the vessels” and “reduce the number of vessels”, providing “advantages to the environment” and “maritime safety”, justified José António Pinto, one of the members of the group, created by local citizens.

Despite the advantages pointed out by the authors of the petition, which has more than 2,000 signatures, the project has not had a response from the official entities, namely from the autarchy of the Ria Formosa Natural Park.

“Unfortunately, we have not had any response from those who decide these matters. We sent ’emails’, made a long, detailed and documented exposure, but there is no desire. The president [of the Tavira Chamber] has publicly said that she is against it, ”said project spokesman.

“The summer ends, and people will not pay two euros per person to go for a walk or exercise on the beach for an hour. The bridge would allow this for free”, José maintained, pointing out that the ‘lobby’ of maritime-tourist vessels could be a possible reason for the lack of support from the authorities.

Sign the petition HERE.

Original article available in Portuguese at http://postal.pt/