Visiting Faro on Monday, Barbosa told online news site Região Sul that he was “surprised by the number of members who turned out for the meeting.”
During the get-together, the ACP president unveiled a number of new services for members, such as insurance and breakdown assistance options, but also touched upon the state of the Algarve’s main EN125 road – the only alternative to the A22 motorway.
“It is scandalous what is going on with the EN125”, he said, explaining: “Not only due to the lack of safety; not only because of the lack of mobility despite the 50 or so roundabouts it has; the kerbs that are not protected or that are too high; the bollards down the middle in areas that could perfectly be used for overtaking slower vehicles (tractors and others). I think it is necessary to quickly review the EN125, because by placing tolls on the A22 (Via Infante de Sagres), people who do not want to pay should have a suitable alternative, which is not the case with the EN125 as it is.
“Therefore, Infrastructures of Portugal, together with the Government and the councils of the Algarve, should think seriously and urgently about making the EN125 a proper National Road and not the joke that it is at the moment”, Carlos Barbosa slammed.
The Automobile Club of Portugal (ACP) was founded in 1903, is a public institution, and is now recognised as the largest club in Portugal. Its mission is to defend mobility and facilitate access to a healthy life.