“The law says the noise must be monitored during races and the results have to be published so insulation can be adapted accordingly to prevent noise. We feel that wasn’t done”, explained a German man, who resides close to the track, in comments to The Portugal News this week.
“We are not protesting against the Autódromo, just against the noise”, the resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, said. Not only are residents complaining of the noise levels generated during races but also during testing that takes place at the track almost daily.
With the Formula 1-type A1 making the track their testing headquarters, noise levels are set to be higher than they have been since the circuit’s inauguration last November.
More than two hundred people have signed the petition that has been circulating for a few days, “Thirty to forty percent of whom are Portuguese, the rest foreign” it was explained by the resident.
An email from another foreign resident read “There are many of us who are extremely concerned as to what is happening to our beautiful Algarve.”
The email continued: “The race track has been constructed in record time and is fully operational; however, the required sound barriers to contain the noise have not yet been put in place. All local residents are affected one way or another by this intrusion. Portimão City Hall says it is not their responsibility anymore, but Faro’s. The opposite is said by Faro. Nobody will accept responsibility”.
Recent rumours have also emerged that a large airport is being planned for that same area, “at the back of Monte Canelas, Alcalar”.
“If it happens as speedily as the race track, we need to react now. The effect upon our daily lives will be catastrophic”, The Portugal News was told. “All these plans for the future of our area are leading to the destruction of what we hold dear and to the quality of life as we value it. The long term effects of these badly thought out ideas will ruin what the Algarve is famous for. We need to do something”.
Paulo Pinheiro, CEO of ParkAlgar, managing company of operations at the Algarve International Racetrack, said he was aware that “every now and then” talks of a petition circulate, but there had not yet been evidence of any action.
He denied sound levels were excessive and guarantees the track complies with existing legislation. Talking to The Portugal News on Thursday, he said “Everything predicted to be done, has been done. The track was inaugurated with sound barriers exactly as required by law. An environmental impact study was conducted and everything is within the law”.
He explained that noise generated by the track had been monitored on numerous occasions and had been approved by authorities including the Environmental Ministry and the CCDR Regional Development Coordination Committee, sitting comfortably within legal limits.
“A local came to the track regarding this issue and we showed him proof of this”, said Paulo Pinheiro, dismissive of any attempts to force structural changes in and around the track to reduce noise.
Unless confronted with figures from an independent study that proves levels are beyond what is established by law and contradicts the track’s own monitoring, then, according to Mr Pinheiro, no more barriers will be installed.
