Reactions of professional bodies to proposed traffic measures
CORFU. Who are for and who are against the moderate pilot scheme.
The discussion at the Central Corfu Municipal Council meeting regarding the traffic regulations in the town historic centre commenced on Tuesday evening with statements from various professional bodies.
The President of the Municipal Council, Dmitris Metallinos, preceded the discussion by reading a relevant memorandum from the Traffic Chief, Mr. Vlachopoulos, concerning the implementation of the pilot measures and their necessity. After procedural questions were raised by opposition council members regarding the process that needs to be followed to reach a regulatory decision (Town Council-consultation-Quality of Life Committee-Municipal Council) for the implementation of the regulations, the floor was then given to the town's professional entities.
In favour of the regulations
The President of Corfu Chamber of Commerce, Yiannis Alegris, expressed support for the implementation of moderate pilot traffic regulations under specific conditions. The conditions he set pertain to finding parking space for those entering from the southern and central parts of Corfu, law enforcement measures from Vrioni to the town, proper signage leading to parking areas and the routing of mini-buses and buses to transport visitors from the parking spaces to the old town.
Representing the Chamber of Commerce, Vassilis Kaloudis also said "yes" to the measures. He even likened the situation in the town to a "cancer" and suggested that the regulations should be implemented for a week to determine their effectiveness.
Corfu Catering Association, represented by Nikos Latsas, sees the implementation of the measures positively. The President of Corfu Urban KTEL, Al. Pangalis, the Association of Corfu Travel Agents (AOCTA), represented by Vice President Dimitris Diavatis, as well as the President of the Corfu Taxi Association, Stamatis Loukas, all supported the measures.
Against the regulations
The Corfu Unified Professional and Tourist Association expressed opposition to the implementation of the measures. President Al. Litsardopoulos stressed that the damage would exceed €500,000 in the initial phase of the implementation, without including the losses in catering and other activities. He proposed cooperation between the municipality, the police and citizens to establish a Traffic Management Centre. He also made it clear that they would resort to legal action if damages are confirmed.
MARIA BAZDRIYIANNI
Photo: Enimerosi
