The Commission of Users of Via do Infante went public with denouncing «the position that the PS took in the Assembly of the Republic, by voting against the proposals for a specific alteration to the State Budget for 2020, which proposed the exemption of toll fees on the A22 /Via do Infante».
«For the 5th consecutive time, in State Budgets, the PS once again failed to eliminate tolls in the Algarve, being accompanied by the CDS». The PSD "limited itself to opting for abstention, as it knew that the PS voting against would be enough to disapprove of the proposals presented by the Left Bloc and the PCP", revealed the Commission of Users (CUVI), in a statement.
BE was the only party that presented an individual proposal to end tolls on Via do Infante, while PCP proposed to end tolls in block, in all ex-scuts, namely A22, A23, A24 and A25.
CUVI considers that, with this new lead to the end of tolls, "the PS has once again shown its arrogance and contempt for the Algarve and its populations, in line with Prime Minister António Costa and his government."
«António Costa completely forgot the promises he made to the Algarve in 2015 – to study the PPP contract» and «eliminate tolls in the Algarve», which was even a «personal promise» made «to the Commission of Users at a joint meeting in Quarteira ».
Considering that, in this matter, the current Government is “behaving exactly like the government of Passos Coelho and the PSD/CDS”, CUVI also does not spare criticism of the Social Democrats.
«The PSD also does very poorly in radiography», since, if it had voted in favor of the proposals, «the tolls would even be abolished in the Algarve, even against the wishes of the PS».
«Then come the PSD/Algarve deputies to accuse the others and “cry crocodile tears” saying that they defend the Algarve. Little shame and hypocrisy have no limits! Basically, PS, PSD and CDS continue to defend an obscure and criminal PPP, detrimental to public funds and which has only served to fill the pockets of the private concessionaire».
«In addition to the high economic, financial and mobility losses that they have caused, the tolls have increased road accidents in the region, with many victims, particularly on the EN125, which is not yet fully requalified between Olhão and Vila Real de Santo António , being considered one of the most dangerous and deadly routes in the country», defends CUVI.
According to figures provided by the National Road Safety Authority/ANSR, the year 2019 ended with more than 10.000 road accidents in the Algarve, more precisely with 10.612 accidents and causing 36 fatalities and 220 serious injuries.
In 2018, 10.604 accidents took place, with 40 fatalities and 195 serious injuries; in 2017 there were 10.752 accidents, with 30 fatalities and 192 serious injuries; and in 2016 there were 10.241 accidents in the Algarve, with 32 fatalities and 162 serious injuries.
"An immense tragedy that has destroyed so many lives and families and that, at the very least, should make the governors and other responsible people blush with shame who persist in maintaining wrong, unjust and criminal tolls."
In January, during the parliamentary hearing on the proposed 2020 State Budget (OE2020), Minister Ana Abrunhosa, responsible for the Territorial Cohesion portfolio, announced that the toll discount model it will be applied in the interior territories, but also on the A22/Via do Infante highways, in the Algarve, and the A28, which connects Porto to Caminha.
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