CIM Beira Baixa says that Alcochete does not favour territorial cohesion
The president of the Intermunicipal Community of Beira Baixa (CIMBB), João Lobo, said today that the choice of Alcochete to build the new airport does not favor the territorial cohesion of the country.
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In statements to the Lusa agency, João Lobo considered that the choice of Santarém would be "a differentiating sign of boldness and initiative".
The chairman of CIMBB stated that the municipalities that are part of the organisation "have nothing against the Lisbon Metropolitan Area", but advocated that the location of the airport in Santarém would contribute to a more developed, cohesive, and symmetrical country, to "the production of wealth in the territories and for them to develop more closely".
"The decision to have the airport in Santarém would favour the country in terms of its centrality", stressed João Lobo, for whom this solution would "favour the country's territorial cohesion".
The chairman of CIMBB added that, considering the financial burdens, despite the land being public, Alcochete implies the construction of a new bridge and costs with the high-speed line, aspects in which Ribatejo presents advantages, he pointed out.
"Regarding Santarém, and in the land where it was planned, there was the condition of converging both on the motorway network and on the existing railway line", argued João Lobo.
Despite maintaining the position previously assumed, the official defended that, once the decision is made, it should move forward to the implementation of the infrastructure.
"If there is a decision, and I expect it to be definitive. We cannot wait another 52 years for the new airport", he stressed.
CIMBB and the intermunicipal communities of the regions of Leiria, Coimbra and Médio Tejo assumed a joint public position in June last year in defence of the choice of Santarém, considering this to be the ideal option.
The geographical location and proximity to important road and rail networks were some of the arguments presented.
CIMBB includes 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 on Tuesday that the Government approved the construction of the new airport for the Lisbon region in Alcochete, following the recommendation of the Independent Technical Commission (CTI).
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