The future Industrial Variant of Passinha again generated contestation at the Alenquer Town Hall meeting of August 26. The project, which aims to remove heavy traffic from residential areas and improve access to the industrial area of Carregado, was at the center of public interventions. Uriel Oliveira, a resident in Casais Novos, announced that he will proceed with a new precautionary measure if the process continues as presented, although he agreed with the first phase of the alternative. The preliminary study, dated March of this year, divides the route into two phases: the first ends at Rua do Sol Nascente and the second continues to the vicinity of Quinta da Barradinha, bends westward and ends at Avenida da Juventude. The total investment is estimated at approximately 3 million euros, of which 1.26 million is for the first phase and 1.75 million for the second.
The mayor, João Nicolau, sought to reassure residents, guaranteeing that only the section necessary to remove traffic from the center of Passinha will be executed. Nicolau assured that the future variant will not bring more traffic to the homes of residents and acknowledged that previously raised concerns were taken into account. Independent councilor Tiago Pedro recalled that the solution for the next phase may still undergo corrections and will be subject to public participation, emphasizing that the intention is to prevent industrial traffic from using the local road network.
Nádia Loureiro brought to the debate the current situation of non-compliance with the nighttime heavy vehicle circulation prohibition, a court decision already validated. The resident stated that trucks continue to pass daily, including vehicles belonging to Santos e Vale and other companies, questioning enforcement between 8:00 PM and 8:00 AM. João Nicolau acknowledged the municipality's responsibility and admitted the need to strengthen enforcement, emphasizing that the Municipal Police, recently created and reinforced with two additional officers, does not have the means to ensure permanent presence during the night.
The discussion also included the proposal for a cooperation contract with Santos e Vale to allow works related to the alternative route and ensure land cessions. Francisco Guerra, from PSD, criticized the fact that the company contributes only approximately 14,800 euros to the costs and contested the inclusion of lands associated with the second phase. João Nicolau explained that the inclusion of these lands aims to secure from now the necessary cessions, namely for the northern roundabout, emphasizing that the Town Hall is not in a position to proceed with the second phase. The proposal was ultimately approved with votes in favor from PS, votes against from PSD and Chega, and abstention from the independent movement.
