The Minister of the Environment, Nunes Correia, presided last Friday over the presentation of various projects of requalification of the coastal strip of the municipality of Vila Real de Santo António, in a total investment of 18 million euros.

The funded projects, which will be concluded in three years, are the requalification of the beach of Manta Rota (two million euros), the requalification of the Margin of Fábrica de Cacela (600 thousand euros) and the ordination of the Maritime frontage of Monte Gordo (10 to 15 million euros). This, according to the local authority of Vila Real, is an "expanded combination of works and actions with the objective of transforming the coastal frontage in a qualified space, of high environmental and landscaping quality, which permits

sustainable usage" by the resident population and by the thousands of tourists who seek out the municipality's beaches.

Inaugurated by Nunes Correia - who is accompanied on his visit to the Algarve (to include stops in Lagoa and Portimão) by the Secretary of State for Ordination of the Territory and Cities, João Ferrão - was the road of the Três Pauzinhos, a project of 150 thousand euros, the new access to the Bridge of Santo António, crossing the national woodland of the municipality.

Comprising a pedestrian road and bicycle lane, the ecological tourist train can also circulate on this route. According to the Council, the access "was particularly demanded by the residents of Vila Real, for whom the previous situation had resulted in them not using that which they always considered "our beach".

"This is a valuable part of the Portuguese coastline, particularly in this zone where there exists an absolutely exceptional conjugation between land and sea. These natural values of quality deserve a project of excellence", stated the Minister of the Environment.

Development and environment united

Luís Gomes foresees "a development which is friendly to the environment and an environment which is friendly to development". The works will allow not only the defense of this environmental heritage, but also "a sustainable public usage in

qualified spaces of high repute from a touristic point of view", he affirmed.

This highly skilled project (of between 10 and 15 million euros, with conclusion anticipated for June of 2009) foresees the environmental and urban qualification of the area of the Praia de Monte Gordo, with measures to reformulate parking and

traffic circulation and the construction of cultural, sporting, recreational and leisure spaces.

On the beach of Manta Rota, two million euros will be invested, with works of reformulation of parking and traffic circulation, recuperation of the dunes, re-naturalisation of degraded areas, construction of installations, footpaths over grass and areas for recreation and leisure. The conclusion of the project is scheduled for June 2007.

Woodland without urbanisation

Taking advantage of the presence of the Minister, a group of "Friends of the Woodland and of the Environment", comprising a dozen people, distributed a leaflet outlining their concerns with the "sustained development" of the Council,

essentially in the woodland, which occupies around 100 hectares.

"The opening of this road through the woodland (the road of the Três Pauzinhos) is the way forward for the accelerated continuation of the destruction of the woodland and the construction of five star hotels, resorts and luxury villas" stated Aníbal Martins, one of the environmentalists present.

The President of the Municipal Council of Vila Real de Santo António, questioned by the press, denied any investments of an urbanistic nature for that zone. There is no urbanistic intention in relation to the woodland. This is a territorial area which we highly value and of which we are very proud. We intend to valorise it with picnic and leisure areas. This heritage should be preserved", he emphasised.

source: regiao sul