In a statement sent to Lusa news agency, the municipality, which has a communist majority, stated that "the measures announced," on Wednesday by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MAEN), regarding public access to beaches in the municipality of Grândola, "are in line" with what it "has been advocating and proposing in recent years."

The municipality refers to "access and enjoyment of the beach for all, with more parking lots and walkways to the various beaches" in this municipality on the Alentejo coast.

For the mayor of Grândola, António Figueira Mendes, quoted in the statement, "the measures are in line" with what has been "advocated for several years" and "implemented on the ground."

"We are pleased to see these priorities recognized at the national level and reiterate our commitment to continuing on this path," he emphasized.

According to the municipality, as part of its strategy for the development and planning of the coastal region, "a significant set of investments and structural projects are underway."

Among them, "a new parking lot on Aberta Nova beach, with 220 free spaces," as well as "a parking lot with 300 free spaces and a new walkway on Galé beach, with construction scheduled for 2026/2027."

Alongside these investments is the "implementation of free public transportation during the summer to three beaches in the municipality," in partnership with the Intermunicipal Community of Alentejo Litoral, he added.

In the same statement, the city council stated that "in recent years it has insisted on the urgent need to create new bathing areas in the municipality, with surveillance, support equipment, and parking."

In addition to appealing to the MAEN "to ensure the implementation of these measures as quickly as possible," the mayor reaffirmed "his full willingness to continue cooperating with the relevant authorities."

According to the municipality, three new walkways were built in 2021 to access the beaches of Melides, Aberta Nova, and Atlântica, with the aim of improving "accessibility" to these bathing areas.

During the inspection carried out by the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA) on the 22 beaches between Troia and Melides, on the coast of Grândola, 18 of which are under concession, eight were found with unrestricted access, two with controlled access, eight with restricted access, and one with restricted access.

Regarding controlled access, the Government stated that this involves road access restricted by passages through private properties, generally within tourist developments, and limited public parking.

On these beaches, the agency expects operators to post signs informing of the existence of pedestrian access and collaborate in implementing projects to provide parking and access without restrictions.

In the case of beaches with restricted access, whether for territorial reasons or tourist occupancy, the objective is to build more parking lots and public pedestrian access.

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