The CDU today accused the Regional Government and the municipalities involved of pressing ahead with the proposed cable car linking Curral das Freiras and Jardim da Serra without adequately addressing key issues relating to transport, parking and the long-term sustainability of the project.
The criticism follows the coalition’s analysis of a technical opinion prepared by engineering consultancy EDICARTE, which it says identifies a number of weaknesses in the proposed development.
According to the CDU, one of the principal concerns is the lack of comprehensive planning for accessibility. The report estimates average daily usage of around 650 passengers, which the coalition argues would place additional pressure on the existing road network and parking facilities serving the proposed cable car stations.
The party claims the project does not include an integrated strategy to manage increased traffic, parking demand or public transport connections, raising concerns that congestion and conflicts between visitors and residents could result.
The CDU also says the report suggests a significant proportion of visitors are expected to arrive by tourist coach, adding further pressure to infrastructure it believes is already under strain. It argues this could leave visitors unable to find parking despite purchasing tickets, while residents could see parking spaces regularly used by the local community occupied by tourist vehicles.
The coalition further highlights concerns over access to Boca da Corrida and the ParedĂŁo area, where it says narrow roads and informal roadside parking already present challenges. According to the CDU, the report warns against creating “new Arieiros,” a reference to the traffic congestion frequently experienced at Pico do Arieiro.
Beyond transport issues, the CDU says the technical opinion raises questions over the project’s financial viability, citing the potentially high costs of construction, operation and maintenance, with long-term sustainability dependent on consistent tourist demand throughout the year.
The report is also said to identify potential environmental and landscape impacts because of the proposed route through an area of significant natural beauty, as well as highlighting the complexity of obtaining the necessary licences and coordinating between public and private bodies.
The coalition argues that public acceptance will be another crucial factor, warning that increased tourism, heavier traffic, higher noise levels and possible changes to the landscape could prompt opposition from local communities.
In light of the report’s conclusions, the CDU maintains that the PSD/CDS Regional Government has advanced the project without first ensuring that the necessary planning conditions are in place, arguing that the issues identified should be fully assessed before any decision is taken on its implementation.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Views: 14
