Carnival Road Changes

In Search of Hope – by Sam Gannon

Seconded to the parish of Tililngdon, the Reverend Dolores has been presented with a challenge.

She’s living in an antiquated house and she’s cold. Furthermore, her new Bishop, Bishop Alice does not approve of ‘showgirls in dog collars.’

Determined to prove the Bishop wrong, she sets about warming her house – who cares if it smells of horse! There is the crochet club, jumble sale, and soup run to organise. And this year, the church bells will ring, no matter what threats are made. Even more so, the newly formed choir will spread a little joy this Christmas, even though they can’t sing – yet! And with a little help from Phil, her bassist, this year could be full of magic.

However, she has a fight on her hands as the townies out in Knob Hill – she must stop calling it that, are trying to stop her from ringing her bells. When Krystal with a K decides to do some volunteer work, Dolores sets out to see just how committed she really is.

Up to her ears in granny squares and squawking choristers, Dolores is revving up for Christmas, yet a deeper darker secret is beginning to emerge!

A secret that could blow the whole parish apart and put Dolores in danger.

(available from Amazon)

The Funchal City Council has confirmed the road changes on Saturday the 1st of March due to the Great Allegorical Carnival Parade which starts at 20:00 and on Tuesday the 4th of March (People’s Parade).

The changes are:

20:00 on 28.02.2025 (Friday) to 09:00 on 02.03.2025 (Sunday).

Road traffic on the north lane of Avenida Dr. Sá Carneiro will be interrupted in an east-west direction, due to the assembly and disassembly of the procession support equipment.

10:00 – 11:00 and from 15:30 -16:30 on 28.02.2025:

Traffic on Avenida Arriaga, as the participants walk across the pedestrian crossing next to the Cabana do Jardim.

From 14:00 until 03:00 on 03.02.2025

Avenida Dr. Sá Carneiro;

From 18:00 on 01.03.2025 to 03:00 on 02.03.2025:

Affected roads are – Avenida do Mar e das Comunidades Madeirans, Dr. Sá Carneiro Tunnel, Dr. Sá Carneiro Roundabout, traffic routes south of Avenida Arriaga except for access to the Marina car parks Shopping and Galleries of São Lourenço, Rua Conselheiro José Silvestre Ribeiro south of Avenida Arriaga, Rua Cónego Jerónimo Dias Leite, Largo dos Varadouros, Rua 5 de Outubro south of Ponte do Bettencourt, Rua do Visconde de Anadia south the Market Bridge, Autonomy Square, Prophets Street, Artur Sousa Street Pinga and Rua José da Silva Saca;

Rua Carvalho Araújo will allow access to the Port of Funchal and hotels, in the tunnel of the E.R. 116 except access to the Port of Funchal and on Rua do Visconde de Anadia, south of Ponte do Carmo, except for public transport and access to Rua do Hospital Velho.

Traffic will circulate in an opposite direction on Rua dos Tanoeiros, as well as on Rua 5 de Outubro in the segment between Rua dos Coopers and the Bettencourt Bridge.

From 03.03.2025 to 09.03.2025 (Sunday), between 19:30 – 22:00 road traffic is restricted to the northern traffic lane of Avenue Arriaga, in the segment between Avenida Zarco and the crosswalk located east of the Bank of Portugal;

Please note that other traffic restrictions may also be in place at this time, especially afternoons and evenings.

Public Transport

Buses circulating from the west area of Funchal will circulate on Estrada Monumental towards Avenida Luís de Camões or Avenida do Infante, resuming the return journeys in the Avenida do Infante (former Cristóvão Colombo School) or Rua Dr. Brito Câmara (Plaza Madeira stop). SIGA/Rodoeste routes can choose to use Via 25 de Abril to the Campo da Barca terminal and vice versa.

The routes in the eastern zone circulate on Rua do Visconde de Anadia and return via the Market Bridge heading towards Rua do Oudinot, Rua da Infância or Rua do Hospital Velho, where they start and end their trip.

For further information about routes, bus stops, and alternative start and end journey stop-offs please access https://siga.madeira.gov.pt/.

Tourist Transport:

The restrictions on road traffic apply to tourist transport.

Taxi Ranks:

During the events….

All taxis leaving the taxi rank at Largo António Nobre, must circulate through the Imperatriz D. Amélia Street.

The taxis leaving Largo dos Varadouros must circulate through Rua dos Tanoeiros towards the Bettencourt Bridge.

The taxi rank on Avenida Dr. Sá Carneiro is deactivated from 0:00 on 28.02.2025, 09:00 on 02.03.2025 and from 14:00 to 20:00 on 04.03.2025;

The taxi rank on Avenida do Mar and Comunidades Madeirenses is deactivated from 18:00 on 01.03.2025 to 03:00 on 02.03.2025 and from 14:00 to 20:00 on 04.03.2025;

Parking lot on public roads:

Parking is prohibited in all existing parking spaces on Avenida do Mar and Madeiran Communities from noon on 01.03.2025 to 03:00 am on 02.03.2025 and from 10:00 to 22:00 on 04.03.2025;

Parking is prohibited in the two parking areas located on the south pavement of Avenue Dr. Sá Carneiro, east of the walkway of the CR7 Hotel, from 08:00 on 28.02.2025 until 09:00 on 02.03.2025;

Parking in the north parking area on Avenida Dr. Sá Carneiro is prohibited from 20:00 on 28.02.2025 until 09:00 on 02.03.2025;

Parking is prohibited on the south pavement of the Avenida Dr. Sá Carneiro, west of the walkway of the Hotel CR7 (Sete Mares), from 20:00 28.02.2025 until midday on 05.03.2025.

Car Parks:

Or Praça CR7 park on Avenida Dr. Sá Carneiro will be closed from 14:00 on the 01.03.2025 until 03:00 on 02.03.2025 and from 14:00 to 22:00 on 04.03.2025;

The Marina Shopping and Galerias de São Lourenço parks can be accessed through the southern traffic lanes of Avenida Arriaga, exiting at Rua Cónego Jerónimo Dias Leite and Avenida Arriaga, respectively;

Almirante Reis carpark will have access from Rua D. Carlos I and exit through Rua Artur Sousa Pinga.

Alternatives road traffic:

Drivers should use Avenida do Infante towards Rua Dr. Brito Câmara, Via 25 de Abril, Rua 5 de Outubro towards Rua do Carmo, Rua do Oudinot towards Campo da Barca, Rua do Bom Jesus towards Rua 31 de Janeiro, Avenida Zarco and Avenida Arriaga (north) towards Avenida do Infante or Rua Dr. Brito Câmara.

The CMF asks everyone to respect the restricted areas and thanks everyone for their patience and understanding.

Samantha Gannon

info at madeira-weekly.com