Residents affected by Lisbon metro work complain of delays in compensation payments

Residents of Travessa do Pasteiro in the Lisbon district of Madragoa, who were forced to leave their homes due to the expansion of the Lisbon metro network, complained on Tuesday that they have not been paid the compensation they are entitled to.

“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.

The resident spoke at a meeting of the Lisbon Municipal Assembly during the public intervention period, asking the municipal deputies to “take measures to urgently resolve this shameful situation” related to the works of the Lisbon Metropolitano, namely the creation of a ring line that will connect the Rato station with Cais do Sodré.

Lusa has asked Metropolitano de Lisboa (ML) about the failure to pay compensation to residents and is awaiting a response.

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 reported that ML informed the 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 they will continue with the payment of an additional amount of compensation in accordance with the concluded agreement, by signing the corresponding addendum, which was sent on May 15.

Considering the case to be “quite serious and even scandalous,” the resident accused OAO ML of “abuse of power, neglect and disrespect for citizens.”

“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, M.L. indicated that the works to strengthen the structures of the buildings located in Travessa do Pasteiro, with the support of the transport company, were “completed”, but “for technical reasons” the facilities “cannot be used on a permanent basis”, extending 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.