The Grupo de Cidadãos Indignados (Indignant Citizens' Group) is set to stage its third public protest on Saturday, 11 July, against parking charges at the access to Praia dos Três Irmãos in Alvor, describing the practice as “illegal and abusive”. The demonstration is scheduled to begin at 9.30am at the entrance to the beach, according to a statement issued by the group.
The campaigners argue that the lack of alternative parking in the area, which they attribute to Portimão Municipal Council, leaves many visitors with little choice but to park on an unpaved area that has been used for decades, including along the road known as Rua da Praia dos Três Irmãos.
“The Pestana Group claims to own the entire area, including the road, which has been used by the public for decades, and charges €3 per vehicle to park there, including on the public road,” the citizen group said in its statement.
The campaigners also object to the installation of a barrier at the entrance to the beach access road, claiming that “only those who pay the €3 fee are allowed through”, which they describe as “a blatant abuse and an appropriation of public space”.
The group further criticised the agreement recently reached between Portimão Municipal Council and the Pestana Group following earlier protests over the issue. Under the arrangement, residents of the municipality are exempt from paying the parking fee, but must present proof of residence on site.
“Residents are required to produce proof of address at the entrance, which makes no sense, as the vast majority do not carry such documentation with them,” the organisers said, arguing that the measure “violates the principle of equality”.
The statement also cites the example of people who “own property or have family in the municipality but live elsewhere”, arguing that they are unfairly disadvantaged by the policy.
The Grupo de Cidadãos Indignados also noted that in previous years, revenue from the parking charges was donated to the Red Cross, whereas it now “goes directly to the Pestana Group”, which the campaigners describe as “one of the wealthiest business groups in the Algarve and in Portugal”.
“If people do not stand up and protest, the day may come when they even ban pedestrians from accessing the beach,” the group warned.
Source: Grupo de Cidadãos Indignados
Photo credit: João Vasconcelos
