The new waste tax on seven classified walking routes in the Region is already in force, and residents are exempt, revealed the Regional Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Environment, Rafaela Fernandes, who to mark the occasion visited Pico Areeiro.
The minister assured that only from January 2025 will all the remaining PRs start to charge this fee, in the same way, taking into account the human load in these PRs, for each period of the day. Payment must be made using Simplifica and tourists will be instructed on how to use the website.
This morning, in Poiso, the Forest Police were already carrying out awareness and information actions to tourists intending to walk along the Areeiro – Pico Ruivo, route.
Responding to journalists, Rafaela Fernandes said that the inspection will be carried out by the Forest Police and Nature Watchers, and those who do not comply will be fined.
Furthermore, the Institute of Forests and Nature Conservation (IFCN) will increase the number of maintenance teams working on the routes to ensure the safety of the levadas.
While talking to journalists, Rafaela Fernandes also asked for organisation and common sense from tour operators, stressing that they need to talk to each other to prevent overcrowding of any particular route and that walks should be organised at different times so that everyone can enjoy the charm and beauty of their chosen walk.
Parking meters in Areeiro
Also today, a pay and display parking metre at the top of Pico do Areeiro came into operation, and Rafaela Fernandes assured that the project for the parking a little further down, for 300 vehicles, is already completed. In addition, the minister revealed that the Regional Government is trying to solve the rent-a-car situation; one of the ideas is to prevent all rent-a-cars from accessing Pico do Areeiro.
PR1 only opens next year
The Pedestrian Trail between Pico do Areeiro and Pico Ruivo will remain closed. At the moment, tourists and locals can walk part of the route, but not all of it because of maintenance works. It is believed that it will only be re-opened fully in the first quarter of next year, However, tourists will still have to pay 3 euros even though they can only walk along a reduced section.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
