Latest news and stories about public services in Leiria, Portugal for expats and residents.
Leiria has completed the analysis of 10,807 applications for storm damage recovery, with 7,694 approved and 2,731 rejected, as the municipality continues to address the aftermath of Storm Kristin.
CCDRC president Ribau Esteves denies claims of delays in post-Storm Kristin reconstruction efforts, citing a commitment to rigorous quality standards despite acknowledging resource constraints.
The necessary works, estimated at 178,000 euros plus VAT, include the total replacement of the roof and the repair of damage to the flooring and walls.
Storm Kristin, on 28 January, left thousands of people without water in the Leiria municipality due to power outages, which also affected the remote management systems of the Municipalized Water and Sanitation Services of Leiria.
A new pipeline connects the Monte Redondo reservoir to the Praia do Pedrógão and Ervedeira reservoirs, making the system more robust and resilient.
Residents have already asked the Marinha Grande local council for help, but so far, nothing has been done.
On the day marking seven months since the passage of the storm Kristin, which left a trail of destruction in Leiria, the municipality announced the conclusion of one of the largest operations for the reconstruction of homes destroyed by the severe weather. Mayor Gonçalo Lopes reported the completion of the analysis of the 10,807 applications for support.
Six months after the events, significant work remains to be completed in the municipality of Marinha Grande.
The service is operating, “provisionally, in the former Social Security premises, a deactivated medical post, without air conditioning and without minimum conditions for public service or for the operation of the back office.”
The mayor states that the municipality and residents have to support the inter-municipal company. He regrets that they are unable to take advantage of EU funds and challenges large cities to integrate with inland systems.
The estimate, according to Anacom, suggests that a large portion of access will be restored within two weeks.
The Mayor of Alvaiázere, João Paulo Guerreiro, told the Lusa agency that the municipality is in an “unsustainable situation” regarding communications, almost six months after the low-pressure system Kristin severely hit the territory. “Six months have already passed, it would have been more than enough time for us to be at another level of resolving the problem...
Residents in Óbidos can use the vehicles in the town.
Around 1,600 customers, mostly in the Leiria region, are still without fixed communication services nearly six months after Storm Kristin severely hit the area, the National Communications Authority (Anacom) reported this Tuesday. According to data recently provided by operators, there are about 1,600 fixed access points still affected as a result...
Due to the closure, service points were transferred to the Leiria Citizen's Shop, located at Largo das Forças Armadas, where the reinforcement will remain until the works are completed.
This building, located in Largo da República, is the only one currently closed.
The Ombudsman's Office received around fifty reports regarding the consequences of the low-pressure system Kristin, which severely hit the Leiria region nearly six months ago, leading to the opening of 15 formal complaint proceedings. The complaints highlight issues such as delays in public support, difficulties in accessing aid, and failures in restoring essential services like electricity and communications. The Ombudsman is also conducting an independent review of the authorities' response to the emergency, including evacuation procedures and support measures for affected populations.
The Ombudsman's office received around fifty reports related to the consequences of storm Kristin, which severely hit the Leiria region nearly six months ago, triggering 15 complaint cases, the entity revealed. Following storm Kristin, the Ombudsman's office received about fifty related reports.
Operators justify the delays with the volume of work following the storm. The municipality has already cleared 260 km of paths, but the removal of woody debris may take months.
Mayor Carlos Lopes stated that the operators justify their delays with the immense workload resulting from the storm and the lack of conditions and resources.
The mayor says the issue 'has worried the municipality', which has conveyed to the operators 'the need to definitively resolve these problems, which are also responsible for some isolation of the people'.
On 19 January, an amendment to the initial tender was also published in the Diário da República.
The PCP secretary-general joined the parliamentary sessions to criticise the Government over “announcements of millions” that have “no correspondence with reality”. In Leiria, there are parishes that remain without the satellite phone with Starlink promised by the Prime Minister.
Paula Santos considers the PRR a “hoax” and ensures there is a “generalised feeling of abandonment” regarding the recovery of houses. The Mission Structure will be heard in Parliament.
The recovery from the damage caused by storm Kristin is far from complete. More than four months later, there are municipalities in the Central region where essential services have not yet been restored. This is the case in Ansião, in the Leiria district.
JN: Marinha Grande and Leiria admit to missing the deadline due to the volume of applications and operational difficulties. Económico: Airline profits fall by half. Passenger numbers rise.
Four months after the destruction caused by Storm Kristin, the reconstruction process in the Central region is beginning to gain traction, with the municipality of Leiria leading the volume of administrative work.
At issue are statements by the Minister of Territorial Cohesion in which he pointed to a “great disparity” between municipalities in the assessment of housing affected by the storms.
Company requested 1.8 million euros to repair a wall.
José Ornelas believes that the support distribution processes are overly bureaucratic and lack clarity. Also, WHO warnings regarding the Hantavirus.
