Torralta beach regains access for people with disabilities

The Ombudsman welcomes the recent construction of a ramp allowing disabled access to Torralta Beach in time for the current bathing season.

The Ombudsman’s intervention was requested following the construction of a footbridge in Praia da Torralta, Alvor, which entailed the destruction of existing access and made it impossible for people with reduced mobility to travel.

Despite the various steps taken by the Portimão City Council and the Algarve Hydrographic Region Administration – Portuguese Environment Agency, and the efforts made by the entities involved, the accessibility problem was not immediately resolved satisfactorily, having also aroused a call to attention to the Administration of the Algarve Hydrographic Region.

The Ombudsman welcomes the outcome of this situation, which involves the decision to build the beach access ramp, and reminds the authorities of the need to take the necessary measures to strictly comply with legality, namely Decree-Law No 163/2006, of August 8, which defines the regime of accessibility to buildings and establishments that receive public, public and residential buildings.