Os Verdes renew opposition as Curral das Freiras cable car works reportedly begin

The ecologist party Os Verdes has restated its total opposition to the cable car and zipline structures planned for Curral das Freiras in Madeira, after media reports that construction began on Wednesday. It calls the project criminal, saying adequate geological studies were never carried out in a notoriously vulnerable area, putting residents and tourists at risk, and that it harms the landscape and environment. The party also argues the economic benefit would go to tourism operators while locals receive crumbs, and says the rent to be paid to the nature conservation institute amounts to a raid on public funds. It compares the scheme to the Lugar de Baixo marina and hopes the reports prove untrue.