“Ensuring adequate access to beaches is a legal obligation that we want to see safeguarded. No new tourist development near beaches will be approved, in mainland Portugal, without this right being previously ensured,” stated the minister.
Maria Graça Carvalho made these remarks during the presentation of the inspection results of access to 22 beaches between Troia and Melides, along the Grândola coast, of which 18 are concessioned.
According to the official, in most of the 18 concessioned beaches in that region, “the law is being complied with.”
Within the scope of this inspection of the 22 beaches, authorities found eight with unrestricted access, two with controlled access, eight with conditioned access, and one with prohibited access.
The remaining three beaches lack the conditions to have infrastructure, explained a source from the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).
Regarding controlled access, the Government noted that it involves road access restricted by passages through private properties, usually within tourist developments, and limited public parking available.
In these beaches, the authorities intend for operators to place signs indicating the existence of pedestrian access and collaborate on projects to provide parking and access free of constraints.
In parallel, the Government is implementing measures such as expanding the public transport system, installing parking limiters, and continuously monitoring and inspecting these beaches.
