Category Archives: Useful Information

Algarve motorway tolls come into effect on December 8

We believe these are the charges which come into effect on 8/12/11

Article courtesy of the Algarve Resident:

Motorists will have to start paying toll charges to use the Algarve’s A22 motorway from Thursday next week (December 8).

A decree-law enabling the tolls to be introduced was passed by president of the republic, Aníbal Cavaco Silva and published today (Monday) on the presidential website and by the Diario da Republica.

According to the decree-law guidelines, there will be “positive discrimination” in favour of local people and businesses.

For a limited period of time, legally registered residents will be exempt from charges for the first 10 transactions per month, after which there will be a 15% reduction in fees for each transaction.

Motorists are urged to keep their residency status updated in order to apply for these discounts, which will not apply to tourists or part-time foreign residents.

Many public protests over the past year against the tolls in the region have been organised by the group Portagens na A22 Nao led by the A22 Users Commission leader João Vasconcelos.

There has also been a petition raised in opposition to the charges, supported by nine entities based in the Algarve, who argue that there are no alternative routes for drivers to use, that tolls will increase the number of accidents on the N125 and damage the Algarve economy.

It is understood that the exemptions and discounts for legally registered residents will be in effect until June 30, 2012, after which they will only apply to areas which have a GDP per capita of less than 80% of the national average.

Office Hours

At a recent Committee meeting, your committee discussed the opening hours of the Amovate Offices for its members` use.  The reason for this was that after a lengthy survey it was obvious that attendance has considerably dropped due to many factors. We assume the main reasons are :

1. Downturn in use of the free computers

2. Reduction in the use of the library

3. The New Web Site

We have been experiencing continuing problems with the computers, mainly due to their age. They belong to the Junta de Freguesia who no longer wish to support their maintenance.  They are frequently breaking down, and the cost of repair now out-weighs the use.  Recent storm damage to the telephone line and the router, which has now been resolved after a lengthy wait, also meant that the computers & wi-fi could not be used.  The Junta still pay for the Internet Connection and this can be still be used as a wi-fi centre.  The increasing number of Free wi-fi connections at many bars around Vale da Telha, also adds to the lack of use of this facility.

The library suffered when Marion had some health issues, but has now been restored to normal service and is maintained by a group of our lady members. It has had large quantities of new books, gifts from our membership recently, so it might be worth another visit.

The web site, we are told by its users, is a real support to our membership.  The committee also benefit by being able to get immediate information out to on line members, although e-mails support this information service. At present we have not seen a need to continue with the News Letters, and to date we have not had any comment on this situation that would require it being reinstated.

After a lengthy discussion it was decided that the trial office hours in place are reduced on Tuesdays from 2pm till 3pm and Fridays remain open from 4pm till 6pm during the summer months, when many of us (including Committee members) are busy with visitors.  The Portugal News will be available as usual, and a supply will continue to be left outside the office.

Also the offices will be closed from the 15th August till the 29th August  inclusive, for a Summer Break.  Thus, also allowing the Committee members who man the office on a voluntary basis, to concentrate on the preparations for the Music Festival.

We welcome your feedback on the decision to change the office hours, and ask that you e-mail us on info@amovate.com with your thoughts.

New Regulations Taking Pets into the UK

DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs) have announced new rules regarding Pet travel, which come into effect from 1st January 2012.

They say that “New rules mean it will be easier and cheaper to travel abroad with pets”.

The UK will harmonise its pet movement rules with the rest of the European Union.

For all the relevant information regarding the new regulations, please go to the DEFRA website: http://www.defra.gov.uk/news/2011/06/30/new-rules-pet-passports/

This is indeed good news for pet owners who frequently travel with their pets.

How to access your PT Landline Voice Mail

PT Instructions to access your voice mail on a landline:

Locally (from home telephone)

Dial *200 (free call)

Press 0. To respond to callers

Press 1. To listen (again)

Press 5. To delete

Press 6. To save

Besides these basic features, you can also

Press # to keep the message in this state, and move on to next message