Lagos Municipal Assembly Takes a Stand for Railway Investment
During the 1st Meeting of its Ordinary Session in December 2024, held on December 2, the Lagos Municipal Assembly unanimously approved a motion regarding investment in railway infrastructure and services in the Algarve, presented by the CDU Municipal Group.
The CDU emphasizes that rail transport is the backbone of a true transport system, playing a crucial role in the economic life of the country by ensuring the circulation of goods and people, which brings tremendous benefits for the environment and sustainable development at local, regional, and national levels.
Modernization of the Algarve Railway Line should not be limited to its electrification, which is nearing completion. There is a pressing need to plan, schedule, secure funding, and most importantly, implement additional investments, as the delays span decades, with well-identified and largely consensual needs.
The economic development of the Algarve stands to benefit significantly from the proposed investments in regional rail transport, which include increased public investment in the region, improved mobility conditions, enhanced service quality, user satisfaction, and contributions to environmental issues.
With these proposed investments, the CDU envisions a significant increase in the importance of rail transport and an improvement in service quality for the population, which will have undeniable positive impacts on the conditions for regional economic development.
To fulfill its commitments to the Algarve population, the CDU proposes that the Ministry of Finance ensure the transfer of necessary funds to IP - Infraestruturas de Portugal, S.A. for the following investments in railway infrastructure and services in the Algarve:
- Finalization of modernization and electrification interventions for the Algarve line;
- Study and project development for a railway connection to the University of Algarve and Faro Airport, avoiding non-rail alternatives;
- Investment in reactivating the Tunes junction;
- Progress on high-speed connections from Faro to Huelva and Seville without dependence on the Lisbon - Évora - Beja - Faro link;
- Necessary investment for the Intercity service to reach Vila Real de Santo António, including platform adjustments;
- Investment in regional capacity for maintenance and repair of rolling stock, considering the need to replace current rolling stock with electric trains due to the electrification of the Algarve line, particularly focusing on the CP workshops in Vila Real de Santo António and valuing its workers;
- Investment aimed at improvements, such as station renovations, enhancement of facilities, upgrading stops, and resuming the process of eliminating level crossings.
In light of these terms, the Lagos Municipal Assembly, convened on December 2, 2024, resolves to:
- Publicly advocate for investment in railway infrastructure and services in the Algarve;
- Demand the Government expedite the transfer of necessary funds to Infraestruturas de Portugal to realize this railway investment;
- Send this motion to the Government, Infraestruturas de Portugal, IP-SA, other Municipal Chambers and Assemblies in the Algarve, and media outlets.
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