The new square

[ditzy]

It's not just the traffic system (or lack thereof) that aggravates me, but those who walk in the middle of the road knowing full well that there is a frustrated driver or 3 behind them. And before anyone mentions that 'pedestrians get confused with the not-so-pedestrianised square', I believe it is far too easy to blame the cars and traffic for chaos. Yes the square has a number of glitches, but no need to leave your brain at home! Rant over

[ukander]

Just have to say, not in the main square but more so on the roads leading up to the square, we found sometimes we had to walk on the road because the paths were quite bad and slippery. There's one part nearing towards Algar Seco where there's a dip in the path which made me a bit of a laughing stock 5 or so times when I slipped

[EMM]

Walked into town yesterday afternoon to see gridlock and the sound of car horns.
Why,

As usual the inconsiderate car drivers, tourist or locals who were parking in the unloading space opposite Hemmingways resulting in delivery vehicles taking up most of the road.

Further back in the queue there were cars trying to go the wrong way up the hill past sullys, cars trying to overtake the waiting traffic
etc etc,

ANY ONE CONSIDERING DRIVING INTO TOWN DON,T .

Where were the GNR and the tow trucks ? any one parking illegally deserves everything they get when you consider the chaos they are causing to the community.

[ditzy]

If it's in the afternoon, Fatacil I expect!

[EMM]

Nothing to do wuth the Fatacil just volume of traffic, it was the same this morning.
Saw the same cars going around town twice looking for parking spaces .

[Michael Crane]

EMM, I think ditzy means the GNR and tow trucks are at Fatacil having a bite to eat and a few drinks!

[jkspoff]

To any new visitor to Carvoeiro there are no warning signs on the road in to inform them that there is no parking available in the centre, I suspect when the redevelopment is complete things will improve, traffic needs to be bypassed away from the centre completely and pedestrianised with 'access only'. The future proposed roundabout and outer car park should solve these issues before the next peak season in 2010.

[Mike,Chislehurst]

What roundabout ?

[dodger]

The new road improvements are a great change.....anyone who says otherwise need their heads checked out,alright maybe there is a wee bit of confusion around the Smilers end where people seem to think that the road is the pavement but that happens in my town....tourists don't do pavements,just clip them with your wing mirror and they soon do trust me!
The out road is superb,a band was set up playing with plenty room for folk to walk passed/stand and watch,vendors with their tourist tat (necklaces etc) are able to set up and sell on the pavement,painters doing faces,tatooist etc making it a great buzzing atmosphere.Outside the fag shop where cars used to swing round we had entertainers with loads of room for people to watch and the actual square looks like a square now.....so much better and cleaner than the old style!!

[blue]

I think the hotdog stall & the doughnut stall on the traffic island are a particularly nice touch - classy.
Can't see Smilers & the other snack restaurants appreciating them.

[kteee]

I think the hotdog stall & the doughnut stall on the traffic island are a particularly nice touch - classy.
Can't see Smilers & the other snack restaurants appreciating them.

Well they should be used to them, they come this time every year for the Festa de Nossa Senhora de Encarnação

[White Rabbit 2]

I agree parking a pain in the bum , but then it always is this time of year.
Best thing to do is the toughest and fastest of the family ( preferably the driver ) , drop everyone as quick as possible , and then park , by the mirachora or at Algar seco or on the cliff road, and slide back.( better still if everyone capable of walking take them with you ! ).
Yes the pavements are slippery and in some places bits missing ( 7 years and I took a dive the other day , 4 days of pain ) , but still better than melting tarmac and cracking cement ( well it looks quainter ).
Anyone who has ever been here would know , no high heels , no flip flops , one for a dive the other for a slide.
Even though I did hit the deck the other day I was on the pavement , the only reason half the people are in the road is because of the style of footwear. All pavements are accessable , their is no need to push the buggy up the middle of the road !.
And please please , if you are a road walker dont give the poor old drivers a hard time , I very carefully weaved my way around a group of 7 children and adults virtually in the middle of rua do Farol , and got a mouthful of verbal abuse because I revved my car ( Next time will lay on the horn , scare the speedos off them ).
As Craig would say " and relax ".

I think I am becoming a grumpy old woman at last !!
WR2

[EMM]

Good advice,

We tell ayone who stay in our villa NOT to take their car in and to park either at Monte Carvoeiro or Algar Seco..
We have received positive feedback as they thank us for saving them a load of hassle if they had joined the merry go round loking for parking spaces.

Do all the villa owners on this site give the same advice ??

[Mike,Chislehurst]

We do but they can walk from our place anyway. It's the elderly or infirm that will suffer here unless they are dropped off downtown somewhere

[kteee]

And just as importantly, do apartment/villa owners on the east side direct their clients through poço partido rather than through the square?