The protest was organised by the Commission of Algarve, which is demanding tolls be eliminated on the region’s only motorway. Left Bloc MP João Vaconçelos, who is also one of the commission’s members, said the protest was to remind people like Prime Minister António Costa of their political
responsibility.
Costa has called the alternative EN125 road a cemetery and said tolls should be revised during campaigning for the last general elections.
This comes after the government revealed it is pondering reducing motorway tolls in the country’s interior so as to boost the economic competitiveness of areas away from the more prosperous coastal areas.
The government explained that is currently assessing the situation of tolls located in inland areas with a view to introducing discounts.
The news follows recent increases in tolls, which the government said were due to contractual obligations with motorway operators.