João Lobo affirms that the “decision to have the airport in Santarém favored the country in relation to its centrality”, since it would contribute to the “territorial cohesion of the country.”
The president of the Beira Baixa Intermunicipal Community (CIMBB), João Lobo, stated this Wednesday that the choice of Alcochete to build the new airport does not favor the territorial cohesion of the country.
In statements to the Lusa agency, João Lobo considered that the election of Santarém would be “a differentiating sign, of audacity and initiative.”
The president of CIMBB stated that the municipalities that make up the organization “have nothing against the Lisbon Metropolitan Area,” but maintained that the location of the airport in Santarém would contribute to a more developed, cohesive and symmetrical country, for “the production of wealth in the territories and for them to develop more closely.”
“The decision to have the airport in Santarém favored the country in terms of centrality,” highlighted João Lobo, for whom this solution “would favor the territorial cohesion of the country.”
The CIMBB president added that, considering the financial burden, Although the land is public, Alcochete involves the construction of a new bridge and costs with the high-speed line, aspects in which Ribatejo has advantages, he noted.
“In Santarém, and on the land where it was planned, there was the possibility of joining the highway network or the existing train line,” argued João Lobo.
Despite maintaining the position previously assumed, the person in charge defended that, once the decision has been made, progress must be made in the implementation of the infrastructure.
“If there is a decision, I hope it is final. We cannot wait another 52 years for the new airport,” he stressed.
CIMBB and the intermunicipal communities of The regions of Leiria, Coimbra and Medio Tajo adopted a joint public position in June last year in defense of the Santarém election.considering this the ideal option.
The geographical location and proximity to important road and rail routes were some of the arguments presented.
The CIMBB integrates the municipalities of Castelo Branco, Idanha-a-Nova, Oleiros, Penamacor, Proença-a-Nova, Sertã, Vila de Rei and Vila Velha de Ródão.
The Prime Minister, Luís Montenegro, announced this Tuesday that the Government approved the construction of the new airport in the Lisbon region in Alcochete, following the recommendation of the Independent Technical Commission (CTI).
Source: Observadora
