The creation of a physical protection and safety barrier for cyclists on the future cycle path and not “a mere red strip painted on the ground” is one of the association's suggestions. Faro 1540, today sent to Sociedade Polis Litoral Ria Formosa, as part of the public consultation on the draft of the bridge and accesses to Praia de Faro.
The Association for the Defense and Promotion of the Environmental and Cultural Heritage of Faro he also argues that, in order to make the 925-spot car park more dynamic and profitable, "which will only be used in July and August", a "Motorhome Park should be created, for about 20 vehicles, with the appropriate support infrastructure for this type of equipment'.
Despite not having been invited to the presentation, on the past 12th, Faro 1540 considers that the draft “is globally interesting, visually harmonious and that it will certainly be a unique opportunity to reformulate the entire use of Praia de Faro, which, as we all know, has a very unsustainable use and is one of the highest risk areas on the Portuguese coast».
Taking into account the "degraded state of the current bridge", the association "hopes that this project will be effectively implemented as soon as possible"
A Faro 1540 considers, as one of the strongest points, «the existence of structures that, along the road to the beach, will allow greater water circulation and greater oxygenation at the western end of the Ria Formosa and encourage the use of bicycles and sidewalks on foot and of contact and interaction with nature».
New bridge must have two lanes for safety reasons
"Although they consider the bridge as "adequate" to "guarantee proper safety for cyclists and pedestrians", the association argues that "the same does not apply to the new bridge to be created, where the lack of a physical protective barrier puts it at risk the lives and physical integrity of hundreds of citizens who will use this infrastructure to enter or leave Praia de Faro».
So, Faro 1540 says that it is “important to have a physical protection and safety barrier for cyclists and not a mere red stripe painted on the floor indicating a cycle path (the blue stripe spread all over the Algarve is enough for us), because simply if you intend to use this area (destined for pedestrians and cyclists) in a possible second lane in case of emergencies or rapid evacuations».
"Since the project will have community funds that will finance this investment by 70 or 80%", the association considers "it is opportune to take advantage of these funds for the construction of a bridge with two lanes, plus a lane for the exclusive use of pedestrians and cyclists, who can thus be equipped with safety and protection equipment».
Because, they argue, «with a 2nd lane for cars, this may be permanently open to the public (or not) solving the problem of “drainage” in emergency scenarios and for traffic peaks, which cause chaotic and lengthy traffic jams that completely “clog” the road to and from Praia de Faro». These traffic jams occur daily in the summer season, and occasionally throughout the year (weekends, Easter and some holidays).
Price of parking meters must be reasonable and public transport rethought
In the position sent to Sociedade Polis, the Faro 1540, warns that the amounts charged to parking meters in the parking lot on the beach of Faro, "if these are actually implemented", they should not be raised, "because Praia de Faro it is a resort of frequent use, that is, it is used almost every day by the people from far away (during the summer) so this reality will necessarily have to be well balanced in the values to be charged».
They also suggest that these amounts, if charged, «act as an “environmental fee”, being invested in the defense and maintenance of the environmental quality and conditions offered by the beach to its users».
The association also states that «the public transport policy for Praia de Faro it is underdeveloped and its prices are uncompetitive in relation to the car, spending more on public transport (bus or boat) than on traveling in a private vehicle to cover the 12 kilometers that separate the city from Faro from beach".
Therefore, the Faro 1540 considers that “it is essential to rethink the public transport policy for Praia de Faro and to create better access conditions to this seaside resort, with the creation of several bus stops along the beach (at least three: in the Paquete restaurant area, in the Centro Náutico and another at the “Zé Maria” roundabout), by way of that beach users can be distributed along the entire length of the beach to avoid long walks to the “torreira” of the Sun and to minimize the compact “bags” in a small area of sand, as happens now, especially at the entrance to the beach».
With regard to the parking lot outside the beach with 925 spaces, «capacity similar to the car parking capacity of Largo de São Francisco, in the city of Faro, the association considers this value “somewhat excessive” for a park that will be used mainly in the months of July and August, “being practically deserted for the remaining 10 months of the year”.
«To combat this scenario of abandonment and in order to monetize and streamline this area», they suggest a «reduction in the car parking capacity and that a Campervan Park be built in the withdrawn parking area, for about 20 vehicles».
Also in this car park, «it is suggested that some spaces (two to three) are integrated into the MOBI.E car park network».
Veja here all the images of the draft to the bridge and access to Praia de Faro.
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