Tolls on the A22

[shanagarry]

That's about the size of it - according to my bank manager. He is not optimistic it will stand up though - given the parlous state of their finances.

Having gone and bought my transponder and activated it - I'm ready - whatever they decide

[DaveK]

I sent an email earlier today to Economy Car Hire Ltd here in the UK and their reply was pretty much the same as Europcar. All they can say is that they have been advised that the tolls have been postponed until later in the year. They confirm that they, together with their Portuguese colleagues, have no real idea what procedures the hire companies are going to adopt when the tolls are eventually introduced.

[shanagarry]

Does that mean that the 15th April start date is definitely off?

[EMM]

As you say your scource was the UK not PORTUGAL I would wait until we get an official statement from the Portuguese authorities not a couple of hire car companies before we get too excited.

[bife73]

It is being reported that the legality of bringing in legislation while there is only a temporary government in place in Portugal is being questioned. I have heard that some time this week there will b an answer as to if the temporary gov is able to introduce the tolls, if it is not then we will have to wait until June after the new elections to see what the new gov have to say on the situation and if they are willing to continue with the plans.
There is another Go Slow planned for Saturday though as the leaders of the protests have said they want to keep the pressure on to show Lisbon that the Algarve is still against the tolls, no matter who is in government.

It was announced on the news today, that the tolls will definately be delayed. Once the new government are elected in June, they will then decide what to do! But I don't hold out much hope, as both major political parties approve the tolls!

[James Faro]

It was announced on the news today, that the tolls will definately be delayed. Once the new government are elected in June, they will then decide what to do! But I don't hold out much hope, as both major political parties approve the tolls!

It may be abandoned. With Portugal needing a bail-out it will need to make huge spending cuts. That will depress the economy further and arguments that the tolls will affect a very fragile economy in a most important region, may heavily sway the next different incoming government.

The current socialist Portuguese government did not work out thoroughly this stupid proposal in the first place. Then again, they could not organize a delightful refreshments party in a brewery.

[EMM]

Now that Portugal has applied for the bail out it will be forced to raise revenue in any way it can.

I think we should expect a quick resolution of the legalities and the tolls back .

[joeysoap]

It was announced on the news today, that the tolls will definately be delayed. Once the new government are elected in June, they will then decide what to do! But I don't hold out much hope, as both major political parties approve the tolls!

The current socialist Portuguese government did not work out thoroughly this stupid proposal in the first place.

You hit the nail on the head JF, the tolls in themselves are not going to be popular, but the methods of payment proposed is really going to annoy tourists, deter day trips from one part of the Algarve to another, possibly (probably) deter Spanish toursts, and add to the cost of a holiday- what tourist wants to hire a device for a week or two and pay for both the rental of device and tolls?

if they do decide to go ahead with the tolls why not employ a few people manning toll boths? would give employment to some locals, make payment easier and maybe not clog up the 125 as much if they charged a reasonable toll and only had them at reasonable distances (one between airport and Spanish border is enough, and maybe two between airport and Lagos.)

I have never ventured into Faro in a car so this question is to anybody who has: if everyone abandons the motorway will it lead to greater congestion in Faro or does the 125 skirt the city?

[shanagarry]

Joey

Be in no doubt that the Portuguese culture for the avoidance of payment for any perceived valueless service (a road toll will fall into that category) is second to none. The extra traffic the 125 will have to deal with coupled with their appalling traffic sense will bring a considerable increase in road traffic accidents/crashes and fatalities along the Algarve. I believe it to be a blessing in disguise that this delay has come about because the traffic emerging from the airport in high season will encounter the additional westerly motorway avoiding traffic - the stuff that makes horrific headlines. The dual carriageway that heads west from the airport to the motorway junctions would have and probably still will, albeit later than expected will become a rat-run and a very dangerous one at that.

As James rightly pointed out - this entire project is revenue driven - no consideration has been given to the impracticality of tourists understanding the system and having to make payments. Is it any wonder the nation is in the parlous position it is - being run by clueless dick-heads

[shanagarry]

Just received this from AFPOP:

You may have seen in the news that the government was expecting a decision to inform whether or not they were going to introduce the Tolls on the A22 next week. We have been aware of this rumour for some time and have been waiting for a decision to be made and circulated before we passed information to Members. We are now able to confirm that
the “Ministério das Obras Públicas” has confirmed yesterday that the government will not be introducing the tools on the four Scut motorways scheduled for the 15th of April. The process is now on hold until the result of the elections in June. This decision stems from a decision from the legal Centre of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (CEJUR), whereby the introduction of tolls by a government management would be unconstitutional.

The Portuguese Constitution states that an Executive under these circumstances can only act on matters strictly necessary for the management of public affairs.
It appears that the implementation of tolls in SCUT Algarve, Beira Litoral, Beira Alta and Beira Interior and the Interior Norte of the country, requires a fundamental legislative and political innovation, which entails a revision of the terms of concessions to introduce road tolls and its scheme of exemptions and discounts.

[Michael Crane]

Just received this from AFPOP:

You may have seen in the news that the government was expecting a decision to inform whether or not they were going to introduce the Tolls on the A22 next week. We have been aware of this rumour for some time and have been waiting for a decision to be made and circulated before we passed information to Members. We are now able to confirm that
the “Ministério das Obras Públicas” has confirmed yesterday that the government will not be introducing the tools on the four Scut motorways scheduled for the 15th of April. The process is now on hold until the result of the elections in June. This decision stems from a decision from the legal Centre of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers (CEJUR), whereby the introduction of tolls by a government management would be unconstitutional.

The Portuguese Constitution states that an Executive under these circumstances can only act on matters strictly necessary for the management of public affairs.
It appears that the implementation of tolls in SCUT Algarve, Beira Litoral, Beira Alta and Beira Interior and the Interior Norte of the country, requires a fundamental legislative and political innovation, which entails a revision of the terms of concessions to introduce road tolls and its scheme of exemptions and discounts.

Is this a reference to some of our members?

[shanagarry]

Michael - behave

[cereza]

Radio reports here confirm implementation of new tolls delayed until after the June election with no specific date for their introduction

[sunman]

17 pages of concern, debate & information & now thats it?

what an anticlimax!

[shanagarry]

17 pages of concern, debate & information & now thats it?

For now - all start again after June