Lisbon Metro says it will compensate residents affected by works

Metropolitano de Lisboa (ML) “is starting to pay an additional amount of compensation” to residents of Travessa do Pasteiroa in the Madragoa region forced to leave their homes due to the network expansion, the company said on Tuesday.

In a written response sent to Lusa, the company reiterates that the works to strengthen the structures of the buildings located in Travessa do Pasteiro, as well as the finishing works inside the fractions, carried out by ML as part of the expansion of the network to create the Circle Line, “were completed in May”.

However, due to technical reasons related to the excavations at Santos Station, the objects “cannot yet be used on a permanent basis, so the period of temporary residence has had to be extended,” and it is expected that by September 30 conditions will be in place for “planning to begin regarding the return of the pellets.”

“Given this reality, Metropolitano de Lisboa has promptly informed the parties concerned of the situation and provided the necessary additional compensation, and is proceeding with the payment of the amount of additional compensation in accordance with the agreement concluded,” the company added.

This morning, during a public speech at a meeting of the Lisbon Municipal Assembly, residents of Travessa do Pasteiro complained about the non-payment of compensation to which they are entitled.

“As of today, July 9, almost two months after the date of the addition to the compensation agreement, the Metropolitano de Lisboa has not fulfilled its obligations and commitments and has not yet paid any compensation to the affected residents,” said Carla Martins, who represents the interests of the residents’ group of Travessa do Pasteiro, in the parish of Estrela.

Carla Martins informed the municipal councillors that at the beginning of 2023, during a planned period of 16 months, the residents of buildings No. 26 to 34 Travessa do Pasteiro were forced to leave their homes for security reasons. was carried out and an agreement was reached with Metropolitano to compensate for the damages caused.

“Under this agreement, the company was obliged to return the pellets under the same conditions under which it received them by May 16, 2024. In the event of non-return due to reasons dependent on the company, it will be obliged to pay an additional amount of compensation for each day of delay,” the resident said, noting that on March 19 he was assured that the work would be done “as expected.”

However, on May 11, “a few days before” the scheduled return date, the company announced “an estimated delay of four and a half months,” the resident said.

Carla Martins also reported that ML informed residents that “for technical reasons related to the ongoing excavations at the Santos station, it is necessary to extend the period of temporary occupation until September 30, 2024,” and that for this reason it will proceed with the payment of the additional compensation amount in accordance with the concluded agreement, signing the corresponding addendum, which was sent on May 15.

“The residents, in addition to being forced to remain outside their homes for more than a year and a half, are also paying out of their own pocket for the costs incurred as a result of delays in returning their apartments,” confirmed Carla Martins, demanding immediate payment of the debt, the compensation due, and, in addition, compensation for moral damages.

On May 13, in a written response to Luce, ML had already indicated that the works to reinforce the structures of the buildings located in Travessa do Pasteiro, with the support of the transport company, had been “completed”, but “for technical reasons” the property “cannot yet be used on a permanent basis”, which extends the period of occupation “until September 30, 2024”.

The need for temporary occupancy of properties, according to the company, arose after “in-depth technical checks” in the parishes of Estrela, Travessa do Pasteiro and Avenida D. Carlos I, a total of 32 properties.

In addition to the works, the costs borne by the public transport company include compensation to landlords, residents and owners, as well as “relocation of residents during the period of occupation.”

With a total planned investment of €331.4 million, the ring line will connect Rato station to Cais do Sodré, adding another two kilometres to the network, scheduled to open in 2025.