EN125 single white lines to stay "to reduce accidents"

The Government has no interest in removing the miles of single white lines and traffic separators that have turned journeys on the western section of the EN125 into slow and frustrating trecks as no overtaking is allowed.

The Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure replied to some written questions from the Algarve Left Bloc MP, João Vasconcelos, and said the main objective for the creation of these white lines and the installation of the separators was to reduce the number of accidents.

The response pays no attention at all to what Vasconcelos calls "obvious technical errors" along the western EN125, such as the large cement separators, narrow traffic lanes for vehicles, roundabouts with narrow exits, and for pedestrians: the lack of pavements and the lack of street lighting.

Another question posed by João Vasconcelos had to do with the suspension of the tolls on the Algarve's A22 motorway as the works on the EN125 are not yet complete.

In the reply, the Ministry sais that this would simply mean the treasury would have to make up any shortfall in the concession holder’s income. This is an obligation that "can not be undertaken given the existing budgetary constraints."

The reply on the tolls question again highlights the idiocy of the concession contract that provides a guaranteed income to the Spanish-Dutch owners based on a traffic volume higher than exists.

As for the speed reduction measures, many of these appear to be designed to frustrate drivers and already are leading to many breaking the rules by overtaking slow-moving farm machinery and caravans instead of following them for miles at a crawl.

Comments  

-1 #8 2.Sugars.in.my.tea 2017-08-28 12:29

....
I always said the Ministry of Planning and Infrastructure has a sense of humour....

-1 #7 Sterling moss 2017-08-27 18:04

The white lines are greatly needed ,to stop the Ayrtons of the Algarve learn how to drive ,,,,the road is much SAFER Now , you will survive now ,, With a bit of luck ,, if they dont overtake on the white lines

-2 #6 Joe Bloggs 2017-08-24 06:21

The simple answer is, don't drive like idiots, have some road courtesy and patience and there would then be less accidents, the mentality of drivers here is appalling the worst ever seen, learn to drive guys!

+14 #5 marjolein Massis 2017-08-22 10:14

WHINGING is a most horrible expression when writing about all the accidents that happen on the EN125 which caused so many lost lives and terrible injuries.
Are people "whinging" when they loose a child, parents or other loved family members in an accident on a very bad constructed and almost never repaired road?
Yes, the "left" has more regards for humane lives then the right. Not only in Portugal but all over the world.
The Algarve has generated so much income for the Government and what did we get back? For the Algarviens,the residents,the tourists (foreign and Portugese) we got, instead of a good and safe EN125, a A22 where we have TO PAY to drive over a safe road!!! Yes again money has been more important then human life's. The last is not a leftish remark, just human.

-8 #4 Mike Towl 2017-08-22 08:02

And when did anyone last get held up by a Combined Harvester or Pea Viner on the EN125? Everyone has been whinging for years about the road being the most dangerous in Europe, a veritable racetrack. Now, at last, they've done something about it and there still whinging. The Lefties can, for a modest fee, like everywhere else in the world, use a motorway if they're in that much of a hurry. Nah! A good moan is much better.

+13 #3 marjolein Massis 2017-08-22 00:18

I wonder if the Government is so interested in reducing accidents. If that was true, The EN125 would have been in perfect condition at least 7 years ago. I think it is more that they want every driver to use the A 22 motorway. That gives revenue , solves an ongoing problem and is good for certain ego's.

+4 #2 mj1 2017-08-21 20:52

double white lines perhaps cause more accidents especially if your following a tractor...but then if the gnr see you overtaking its another fine--kerching for the junta

+8 #1 liveaboard 2017-08-21 19:42

Reduce accidents; perhaps.
Increase traffic fine revenue; most certainly.

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