Data to be collected in Solari in two stages
Solari
25 Aug 2021
/ 11:25
CORFU. The results will be taken into account in order to implement appropriate measures.
Solari is a major problem for the Ionian Islands Region, which is trying to solve the traffic problem, amid reactions and protests from both sides - drivers and businesspeople.
At this point, it has been decided to implement measures to prohibit stopping and parking along the side of the road leading to town and the airport. Drivers are suffering from the heavy congestion on the road, which has been classified as a highway for decades. But that was long before Solari became an extension of the urban part of the city and an important commercial centre – with no provision for parking spaces.
For years, the situation was chaotic and accidents were inevitable and frequent. In recent years the road has been renovated according to old standards, with a traffic island in the middle, along the whole road, making it impossible to turn around. At the same time, two lanes were created in each direction, but the right one continued to be occupied by parked vehicles and it was as if it did not exist.
Often, during peak hours, it can take up to 40 minutes to travel the length of the road and to come back one has to go through the town centre. On the other hand, at night, speeds of up to 100 km/h have been recorded, with all that this implies for a densely populated area.
“Decongestion of the road is really a very difficult task for the Regional Administration,” Deputy Regional Governor for Infrastructure & Technical Works Manolis Orphanoudakis told Enimerosi. Mr. Orphanoudakis and the Deputy Regional Governor for Corfu Melita Andrioti, are facing strong opposition from the area’s businesspeople.
“A solution must be found because the traffic at the moment is problematic and dangerous, not only for people in private vehicles, but also for emergency vehicles – ambulances, fire engines, etc.” he explained.
Manolis Orphanoudakis
Since the announcement of the measures applying to the side of the road leading into town was made, businesspeople have been protesting, because by preventing access to their businesses, it will result in their closure.
Testing in two stages
According to Mr. Orphanoudakis, solving this problem is an issue with multiple factors. Initially, the Region is recording the traffic data in order to draw conclusions and implement appropriate measures.
“The reason why we chose this particular period is that it is a peak traffic period”, said the Deputy Regional Governor. “At the beginning of August, we recorded the existing situation.
The next step, in collaboration with the Traffic Police, is to see the results of the stopping and parking prohibition along the whole side leading into town, and from next week, we will measure traffic with the measure restricted stopping being implemented only in certain areas.”
Creation of car parks progressing at the usual 'speed' for public works
The lack of car parks remains a major problem. Mr. Orphanoudakis told Enimerosi that two plots have been found on each side of the road and the relevant people have been contacted. “We have verbally been given permission. However, we cannot avoid the pace at which the public sector operates. The two plots will have a capacity of up to 100 parking spots each. The plan is to sign agreements with the two owners who are individuals governed by private law. The construction of each car parking will cost about €150,000 - 200,000 and the owners will be responsible for their operation as the Region cannot afford it.
"This is an attempt to find a middle ground, although the construction of car parks is not the Regional Authority’s responsibility.
"We are applying pressure, hoping to make progress by next summer, but this is the optimistic scenario”, added the Deputy Regional Governor.
Regarding the request of the businesspeople to declassify the road from a highway, Mr. Orphanoudakis replied that this is not a simple matter. “It would only be possible if the Central Corfu Municipality had drawn up a Spatial Town Plan, which would have this specific provision for Solari”, he said.
At this point, it has been decided to implement measures to prohibit stopping and parking along the side of the road leading to town and the airport. Drivers are suffering from the heavy congestion on the road, which has been classified as a highway for decades. But that was long before Solari became an extension of the urban part of the city and an important commercial centre – with no provision for parking spaces.
For years, the situation was chaotic and accidents were inevitable and frequent. In recent years the road has been renovated according to old standards, with a traffic island in the middle, along the whole road, making it impossible to turn around. At the same time, two lanes were created in each direction, but the right one continued to be occupied by parked vehicles and it was as if it did not exist.
Often, during peak hours, it can take up to 40 minutes to travel the length of the road and to come back one has to go through the town centre. On the other hand, at night, speeds of up to 100 km/h have been recorded, with all that this implies for a densely populated area.
“Decongestion of the road is really a very difficult task for the Regional Administration,” Deputy Regional Governor for Infrastructure & Technical Works Manolis Orphanoudakis told Enimerosi. Mr. Orphanoudakis and the Deputy Regional Governor for Corfu Melita Andrioti, are facing strong opposition from the area’s businesspeople.
“A solution must be found because the traffic at the moment is problematic and dangerous, not only for people in private vehicles, but also for emergency vehicles – ambulances, fire engines, etc.” he explained.
Manolis Orphanoudakis
Since the announcement of the measures applying to the side of the road leading into town was made, businesspeople have been protesting, because by preventing access to their businesses, it will result in their closure.
Testing in two stages
According to Mr. Orphanoudakis, solving this problem is an issue with multiple factors. Initially, the Region is recording the traffic data in order to draw conclusions and implement appropriate measures.
“The reason why we chose this particular period is that it is a peak traffic period”, said the Deputy Regional Governor. “At the beginning of August, we recorded the existing situation.
The next step, in collaboration with the Traffic Police, is to see the results of the stopping and parking prohibition along the whole side leading into town, and from next week, we will measure traffic with the measure restricted stopping being implemented only in certain areas.”
Creation of car parks progressing at the usual 'speed' for public works
The lack of car parks remains a major problem. Mr. Orphanoudakis told Enimerosi that two plots have been found on each side of the road and the relevant people have been contacted. “We have verbally been given permission. However, we cannot avoid the pace at which the public sector operates. The two plots will have a capacity of up to 100 parking spots each. The plan is to sign agreements with the two owners who are individuals governed by private law. The construction of each car parking will cost about €150,000 - 200,000 and the owners will be responsible for their operation as the Region cannot afford it.
"This is an attempt to find a middle ground, although the construction of car parks is not the Regional Authority’s responsibility.
"We are applying pressure, hoping to make progress by next summer, but this is the optimistic scenario”, added the Deputy Regional Governor.
Regarding the request of the businesspeople to declassify the road from a highway, Mr. Orphanoudakis replied that this is not a simple matter. “It would only be possible if the Central Corfu Municipality had drawn up a Spatial Town Plan, which would have this specific provision for Solari”, he said.
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