Drivers and children pass through Vatonies ‘at their own risk’

Drivers passing through Vatonies in North Corfu have to take their lives in their hands. For about two months now there has been extensive subsidence in a large section of the road as well as in the support structure for the bridge, which is now essentially ‘hollow’.  Even though safety tape has been put up along with other ‘inventive’ devices such as upturned refuse containers to warn of the danger, nobody knows when they will end up in the wrong place at the wrong time. 



Since February, when the road started to split open, the green buses have altered their routes due to the fact that the road is in no condition to take heavy vehicles. For safety reasons the route for the school buses taking children to Agros school has been altered. Children from Vatonies, though, have to use private means – regardless of whether or not their families can do it. The new school bus routes have also been divided into separate sections and consequently some children have to set out earlier and get home later. In response to queries from Enimerosi, the Director of Primary Education, Christos Anthis, said that he was aware of the problem and has informed the Regional Transport Department.

The Ionian Islands Regional Administration has announced that the contracted work for the road network in north Corfu will commence shortly, whilst the Minister for Transport, Christos Spirtzis, who was in Corfu for the 25^th March celebrations, agreed (?) to approve extra funds for restoration of the road network.

Until all this happens, however, use of the road is not prohibited – in other words, you can drive through ‘at your own risk’. Residents have to deal with extreme conditions on the road on a daily basis – with children in the car. They, quite understandably, asked Enimerosi, “How long will it be before a serious accident happens?”