For the President of the Regional Government of Madeira, Miguel Albuquerque, the increase in the average daily traffic on the Via Rapida of 5.3% in 2024 is due to the “improvement in the material conditions of families.”
Speaking to the media, he said that the increase in traffic is a sign of progress.
Talking to journalists, he affirmed:
“I would be concerned if there was a substantial reduction in traffic. That would mean that people are unable to afford a car, petrol, or the wherewithal to maintain a car.”
On the other hand, he said, it is necessary to define projects that result in improvements in car circulation to cope with the increase in traffic, citing the new road layout in Cancela which has cost around 3 million euros and given anyone driving through their a headache with the ever-changing layout. Further road improvement works are between Boa Nova and Assomada costing around 13 million euros.
“The new Santo António junction, tunnels connecting the city of Funchal, and the alternative connection between Ponta do Sol and Ribeira Brava are all examples of how the Regional Government is improving driving conditions.”
Asked about the possibility of having a limitation on cars, the head of the Madeiran executive appealed to reasonableness: “Everyone wants restrictions, but what is important at the moment is for us to have some sense of reasonableness because people have the right to use their cars, I think it is a huge progress for people to have the right to their private car, but they have the counterpart, – which is also very important today – of the use of public transport.”
He perhaps didn’t think that the maddening congestion on the highway is also due to the 182 car hire companies operating on the island and the tourists who use them.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
