State railway company REFER is determined that the commando raid on its first set of fences, fences that have divided Olhão’s pedestrians and local opinions, is an act of vandalism and is determined that its plan to close the crossing will go ahead, come what may.
The original fencing lasted a couple of weeks until, as widely predicted, public spirited locals removed the obstructions early last Saturday morning and again allowed the free flow of pedestrians across the railway line less than 100 metres from Olhão station.
In a shocking example of civil disobedience no witnesses have come forward to report the individuals involved, even the daily police presence did nothing to halt the wanton destruction of state property in an act that has been welcomed across the city.
Baffing on about the laws covering railway crossings, REFER’s spokesman claims that the public is at risk as pedestrians cross the railwayline but there is no record of an accident in living memory as the trains are at a crawl as they enter or leave the station allowing the most inebriated monopeds plenty of time to hop to safety.
Rambling on about having to waste money on fencing contractors in its determination to close the crossing, REFER stated today that it again will shut off access and said the previous police presence was there at the company’s bequest "to monitor the progress of the work" so no doubt the two gendarmes will return to their lonely vigil.
REFER did eventually talk to the council in an attempt to change the mayor's opinion but at a public meeting last Saturday the mayor made it clear that he was a man of the people, at least on this issue, and the crossing should be reinstated with up-to-date equipment with buzzers and flashing lights, if REFER was so keen on safety.
This suggestion was rejected by REFER and the fence was re-erected on Thursday night with piles of rubble behind each side further to deter any would be freedom fighters - and so the game continues with a disinterested local police force, an irritated local population, a huffy railway company and a council that is unable to sanction the destruction of property despite its support of the locals.
Meanwhile, whenever there is significant rainfall, the tunnel becomes flooded:
