Saturday, May 21, 2005
They're at it again...!
Never content to leave well enough alone, the politicians (yes, even those in the laid-back Algarve) just have to stick their oars in.
The idea of charging a toll for driving on the Via do Infante east-west motorway has reared its (ugly and unwelcome) head once more.
As I've written before, this is crazy. The great thing about Algarve vacations is that you can drive anywhere, park (just about) anywhere and enjoy yourself anywhere for free, and only spend your tourist money when you want to. Most of us like the place so much that we splash out a bit anyway...
And that freedom and lack of grasping-ness is what keeps the tourist shekels moving through the area's economy. And I do mean all of it, not just the coastal areas...
So, a success story - what can go wrong? Enter the politicians. Despite having fought a recent election campaign on the promise not to tax the Infante, there are plans afoot to 'take another look' at the idea.
Are they mad?
The Algarve area is wonderfully compact, and you can visit just about anywhere during a day's round-trip. That is greatly facilitated by the A22 motorway, which can zip you east or west to within a few miles of where you want to be. Then, you can leave it behind and chance your arm on one of the charmingly quirky minor roads.
Why, some of my favourite (recommended) Algarve circuits, like the Sotavento or Barlavento, and even the Tavira Tour would be a nightmare without using the Via do Infante.
The N125 is too built-up, and takes too much time. There are traffic lights, crossroads (some delightfully weird and verging on the dangerously confusing) and lots of other urban hazards to negotiate for drivers unfamiliar with such things. A journey can take forever!
'If it isn't broken, don't fix it' goes the saying...
Only an idiot would threaten the prosperity that the free movement of tourism brings to Algarve's economy. Trouble is, we (and they) keep electing them!
The idea of charging a toll for driving on the Via do Infante east-west motorway has reared its (ugly and unwelcome) head once more.
As I've written before, this is crazy. The great thing about Algarve vacations is that you can drive anywhere, park (just about) anywhere and enjoy yourself anywhere for free, and only spend your tourist money when you want to. Most of us like the place so much that we splash out a bit anyway...
And that freedom and lack of grasping-ness is what keeps the tourist shekels moving through the area's economy. And I do mean all of it, not just the coastal areas...
So, a success story - what can go wrong? Enter the politicians. Despite having fought a recent election campaign on the promise not to tax the Infante, there are plans afoot to 'take another look' at the idea.
Are they mad?
The Algarve area is wonderfully compact, and you can visit just about anywhere during a day's round-trip. That is greatly facilitated by the A22 motorway, which can zip you east or west to within a few miles of where you want to be. Then, you can leave it behind and chance your arm on one of the charmingly quirky minor roads.
Why, some of my favourite (recommended) Algarve circuits, like the Sotavento or Barlavento, and even the Tavira Tour would be a nightmare without using the Via do Infante.
The N125 is too built-up, and takes too much time. There are traffic lights, crossroads (some delightfully weird and verging on the dangerously confusing) and lots of other urban hazards to negotiate for drivers unfamiliar with such things. A journey can take forever!
'If it isn't broken, don't fix it' goes the saying...
Only an idiot would threaten the prosperity that the free movement of tourism brings to Algarve's economy. Trouble is, we (and they) keep electing them!
