Possible prohibition of heavy vehicles in historic centre
CORFU. The measure was rejected last year because, when it was discussed, the market had not been informed. Disruption and changes to the paving due to the necessary work by DEDDIE to prevent power outages from recurring in the heart of the season.
There are considerations within the municipal authority to ban heavy vehicles from circulating in the historic centre this summer. They do not want to repeat last year's failure, when mere recommendations—rather than actual measures—were given during the tourist season. As a result, they are working on a plan that must go through public consultation while there is still time.
This regulation was also discussed last year in a meeting about traffic issues but was rejected when a member of the executive authority cited agreements with restaurants in the historic centre. According to them, these agreements had to be honoured by allowing customer transportation directly to the establishments. However, this often proved impossible due to the chaos prevailing on all roads in Corfu, both inside and outside the town.
Now, the issue is being revisited, hopefully before new agreements are made by the restaurants.
The implementation of such regulatory measures will also coincide with DEDDIE’s work in the heart of the historic centre, particularly on Capodistriou Street and Liston. This project will require road closures and changes to the paving. For this reason, efforts are already underway to source the necessary paving stones in large quantities—something that is proving to be quite challenging.
The project involves replacing cables, which are believed to have been responsible for last year’s power outages at the peak of the tourist season.
It is considered reasonable that all of this must be completed by mid-April at the latest, before Easter Week (April 13, Palm Sunday – April 20, Easter Day).
GIORGOS KATSAITIS
