Long awaited dredging works are closer to happening as those concerned with this stretch of the Guadiana River, between Alcoutim and Pomarão in Mértola, have got together, resulting in the announcement of a start date of 'early 2018.’
Those at this key meeting looked at the current situation and managed to lay down a programme of 'things that need to be done' to sort out the navigability of the upper Guadiana which at the moment is generally navigable only to Alcoutim.
To make the nexy section 'tourism friendly,' ie between Alcoutim and Pomarão, an application was made in April to access European Union funds, "which will provide 75% of the development financing for the execution of the project that has a projected cost of €1 million,” according to Mértola council.
A project already is being prepared by the Directorate-General for Natural Resources, Safety and Maritime Services (DGRM) which has the ability to delay work for years if it so desires but as the EU is funding 3/4 of the bill, there should be no reason for this State body to cause problems.
"The Pomarão-Mértola section has already been authorised by the Ministry of the Sea” says the council.
The hydrographic survey, which is starting in 2018, is another essential stage in determining will what work is needed get the navigability of the upper Guadiana sorted out and ready for river cruising.