An event to launch a new hush hush German car is to necessitate the closure of the old bridge, an arterial route in and out of Portimão old town.
The October closure is to allow the space to be used for a series of outdoor dinners for members of the press.
The bridge carries about 5,000 vehicles a day to and from the municipal capital and Portimão council is all for the closure, a position not matched by Lagoa council on the east side of the Arade where the main event is being held.
"There is no logic in closing the bridge for 22 days to serve dinner," according to Lagoa Mayor, Francisco Martins, who added that it would be an embarrassment for the population and that alternatives should be found.
The aim is to use the road for holding dinners for over a thousand journalists during launch the period. The event is planned to be held at the Arade Pavilion in Parchal despite the local mayor’s concerns over the bridge closure.
Lagoa, Monchique, Portimão and Silves Câmaras as well as the Algarve Tourist Board and 16 private companies in the tourist industry, collaborated in the 2007 construction of the pavilion which lies in the Lagoa council area.
The event promoter has dangled a figure of €5 million ‘to the local economy’ by holding the car launch in the Algarve. Road company, Estradas de Portugal, confirmed that the council has submitted a request that "is being examined."
Desiderio Silva, president of Algarve Tourism, in an emollient mood said that "from the point of view of tourism, it would be beneficial," but says he "respects and accepts the opinions of others."
Comments
But why do they serve the dinners for the press at the sardine restaurants next to the bridge? There´s plenty of space and the restaurants would be happy to have clients in October. Many of them normally close at that time due to the lack of clients.
LOL
Audi-A3 E-tron
Audi’s first plug-in hybrid will be the A3 e-tron that pitches up in November and is likely to have a £30,000 price tag. It uses the company’s latest 1.4-litre turbo petrol engine driving in conjunction with an electric motor to deliver 35g/km CO2 emissions, 188mpg and a range of up to 600 miles. It manages 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds and drives through a DSG dual-clutch gearbox that has been specifically developed for the e-tron. On battery power alone, the A3 e-tron can cover 31 miles without the need for the petrol engine and can be fast charged to full power from near flat in 40 minutes
Only here such a crazy thing is possible. Shameful! Wake up to reality and rest your oversized egos.