The new square

[Janet O]

Could be a bonus. Perhaps Geraldine might take the opportunity to tart the place up and change the chairs and umbrellas!!
Janet O

[Helen]

So the road out didn't open today (surprise, surprise)! There are still a few things they have to finish off. However, driving into Carvoeiro today it looked like they were putting up a permanent no-entry sign at the road that cuts through to the out road & it looks now as though that is going to be a left turn for traffic to cut through to the in road!! That of course means that all traffic, once on the in road, will have to go through the square. Nightmare.

[sanreen]

That of course means that all traffic, once on the in road, will have to go through the square.

Unfortunately any traffic that needs to go into the village will need to use the in road. But as many other posters have stated, people wishing to access the other end of Carvoeiro eg VDM, Rocha Brava, ADM will not need to come down to the village. Although we would all love a vehicle free centre, I don't think Carvoeiro is big enough for that. You cannot compare it to the likes of Albufeira or Villamoura. At least all the traffic will be going the same way and all the traffic congestion at the centre should be a thing of the past. We will have to wait and see.

[Rob F]

Must admit, Rob, not quite sure why the runway takes people from the beach directly to Smilers. Do you think Geraldine had a hand in the planning?

Have another look there Barry, the 'runway' ends at Smiler's terrace... horror scenario, I admit, but not unimagenable I am afraid!

[tricky]

I agree Janet O. Smilers looks even more of an eyesore now, come on change those red plastic chairs!!

[Barry]

The out road did open today, and Restaurant Hill is now open in both directions for cars. Agree with you, Helen, do not understand why the cut through has been reversed. Cannot work out who it is going to benefit. So we now have three roads feeding into the square, and an opportunity to go around again if you did not believe it the first time. Rob, my remarks about the runway referred only to pedestrians coming from the beach, not cars. There are two stainless steel poles at the Smilers end, which is the same protection as any pedestrian gets with the new system, except there is also a large palm tree! And speaking of trees, six more planters have arrived today for the beach side of the square.

[e-richard]

... do not understand why the cut through has been reversed....

Possible explanation:
If you're driving down restaurant hill and want to get to Monte Carvoeiro, you'll turn R into the out road, through the cut then left onto in road, and immediately right up what was the down road. Shorter than going all the way out to the windy Solfeiras hill and round the houses.

I'm not defending it, just trying to understand it

[Barry]

Don't try too hard to understand what is going on Richard, it may affect your mental health! I do accept though you have found one possible benefit.

[HampshireRich]

The out road did open today, and Restaurant Hill is now open in both directions for cars. Agree with you, Helen, do not understand why the cut through has been reversed. Cannot work out who it is going to benefit. So we now have three roads feeding into the square, and an opportunity to go around again if you did not believe it the first time. Rob, my remarks about the runway referred only to pedestrians coming from the beach, not cars. There are two stainless steel poles at the Smilers end, which is the same protection as any pedestrian gets with the new system, except there is also a large palm tree! And speaking of trees, six more planters have arrived today for the beach side of the square.

So ...... the out road is open, and Restaurant Hill is in and out, but the cut through is backwards.

There are now 3 in roads and a big roundabout, a runway, some smiling poles, palm trees, pedestrians and some planters.

Anyone got it .... and will it all end in tears?

[Gambrinus]

My mum forced them to open the out road yesterday morning, she just drove up to the barrier and asked if she could drive through yet because it was supposed to be open.
The policeman shrugged, moved the barrier and let her through. Nothing gets in my mum's way I tell you.

The new open spaces look good now that the hearthstones are gone, but the parking...... when the northeners arrive in August and leave their cars in town it is going to be bloody murder for a space.

As for Smilers, it would be a first if they every gave a rat's gnads for what anyone suggests about furniture, but seeing that Colombo's has modernized to aluminium furniture maybe the peer pressure will help.

[Mike,Chislehurst]

Re Smilers, could always use the complaints book

[HampshireRich]

The new open spaces look good now that the hearthstones are gone, but the parking...... when the northeners arrive in August and leave their cars in town it is going to be bloody murder for a space.

Is that the Scandinavians or people from Lisbon and Porto?

[cereza]

if it's a Volvo or Saab they're probably Scandavian

[Gambrinus]

Our northeners come from the Tejo and the Douro, the others are northern europeans or bifes.

[27paul27]

My 5 penneth, if I may.

Like just about everybody on here, I love the village, and got excited about the new design, when it was first mentioned. Now though, like just about everybody on here, I am a little hearbroken with what I am seeing.

So, my question is, is it worth sending the forum link to the camera to see if a reaction/explanation would be forthcoming ?