The Commission for the Use of Public Services of the Middle Tagus is organizing a petition demanding the abolition of tolls on motorways 23 (A23) and 13 (A13), noting that the claim will only end after this action is taken.
The petition, which is to be sent to the Minister of Planning and Infrastructure, Pedro Nuno Santos, follows an appeal made on the 17th to deputies of the Assembly of the Republic to resolve the issue “with urgency” during the discussion of the State Budget for 2023.
“Tolls on the A23 and A13 motorways are a problem for the mobility of people and goods. They are an obstacle to social and economic development. They do not contribute to territorial cohesion. They exacerbate environmental problems in urban areas and affect road safety. in a petition.
The Committee also emphasizes that A23 and A13 “are fundamental in terms of access to health care”, given that the three departments that make up the Centro Hospitalar do Médio Tejo (CHMT) are located in three different cities: Abrantes, Tomar. and Torres Novas.
In a letter sent to MPs, the commission also mentioned the additional cost of transporting non-emergency patients, as firefighters are “obliged to pay fares” when transporting patients between the three hospitals.
The petition also mentions that public protests “forced lower prices” for tolls and that Territorial Unity Minister Ana Abruñosa said in May that she would be satisfied only by abolishing tolls in the hinterland.
“And we will not rest until the abolition of tolls on the A23 and A13 is implemented,” he added.
Manuel José Soares, spokesperson for Médio Tejo users, told Lusa that by the end of next week, the petition will be posted in at least 150 signature collection sites.
In an appeal to the deputies, the commission recalled that “these routes were” detours. [vias sem custos para os utilizadores] (on the sections between the A1 and the Abrantes exit, i.e. the A23, and on the A13 between Atalaya and the northern exit of Tomar)” and that “the introduction of tolls has harmed this entire region, the population and its activities”.
The A23 motorway, also known as the Autoestrada da Beira Interior, connects Guarda with Torres Novas.
The A13 motorway, or Pinhal inland highway, connects Coimbra with Marateca, connecting the sub-regions of Coimbra, Leiria and Medio Tejo.
Author: Lusa
Source: CM Jornal
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