We now have answers, of a sort, to the pending questions over the Algarve’s railway line as the Minister of Equipment and Infrastructure, Pedro Marques, faced Social Democrat MP Cristóvão Norte at an parliamentary meeting for infrastructure investment.
Marques guaranteed that the electrification project for the remainder of the Algarve railway line is to go ahead.
The question over the Faro airport rail link remained unanswered, despite this work forming part of the Strategic Plan for Transport and Investment (PETI) launched by the last government.
Infraestrutura de Portugal already has reviewed its rail investment plans and failed to include the Faro airport rail link.
Cristóvão Norte asked that some light should be shed on this investment as nobody knows whether government policy is the same as the infrastructure company – will the Faro rail link be built of not? This question remains unanswered but we can assume the answer is a 'no.'
Norte reported that, "The minister assumed that the electrification of the line would be going ahead, but made no reference to the rail connection to Faro airport. He did not commit to deadlines, nor to amounts, and said that EU funds could be a source of financing to look at."
The announcement to the media sent by Norte has not gone down well in the Algarve with the mayors still waiting for a meeting with the infrustructure company to clarify matters.
Jorge Botelho, the head of the mayors group AMAL, said last December, if the Faro airport rail link was cancelled, "If true, it is obvious that we are not happy. This would be a decision that would seriously undermine the Algarve and we will do everything to avoid it."
Norte pointed out to the Minister that the current network is marked by technical obsolescence and old rolling stock, to which can be added the problems on the Algarve roads.
“This makes the investment in railway crucial for the development of the region,” added the Algarve MP.
Comments
A modern, coherent, linked-up railway service across the Guadiana at VRSA? Seems too much to ask.... but don't worry, the Minister has hinted at 'money from Brussels' - the answer to everthing...