Larisa: No more motorbikes on pedestrian streets

The Municipal Authority of Larissa plans to put an end to the passage of mopeds on pedestrian streets, in order to solve important problems created both by their uncontrolled movement and by their illegal parking. As the deputy mayor of the Municipal Police and Traffic Interventions, Mr. Evangelos Papalexis, told “E”, “the largest number of motorbikes that move on the pedestrian streets every day concern workers in restaurants and specifically people who make deliveries, from shops that exist in the center of Larissa .

As there are many complaints from pedestrians about the danger of motorcycling on pedestrian streets and squares, we are proceeding with the implementation of a plan to prohibit their passage in these areas and for this reason we are in contact with the owners of catering establishments, operating in center ofyou, in order to find the best possible solution, for everyone. It is important to say that in this effort we have found a significant response from restaurant owners to proceed with measures to ban mopeds on pedestrian streets and squares, while at the same time we are planning to create special parking areas for delivery bikes to facilitate the on the one hand the businesses and on the other hand to eliminate the problem of the occupation of public spaces and the anarchic parking of mopeds”.

Until next summer, I estimate that the planning in question will be completed, so that the measure of banning the movement of mopeds on the central pedestrian streets will be implemented.”

THE COLUMNS ARE OUT OF OPERATION

The controlled access system with the submersible bollards at 45 points on the pedestrian streets in the center of La has been out of operation since last weekrisas

This fact has caused concerns, but also complaints from traders in the city center, who complain about uncontrolled movement of trucks and circumvention of the prescribed loading and unloading hours.

They claim, in fact, that “this situation reaches the limits of the dangerous, as large trucks move even during peak hours, that is, when there is a lot of pedestrian traffic on the pedestrian streets, with the result that there is a great risk of accidents”.

When asked about this, Mr. Papalexis tells “E” that “the Smart Pedestrian Access System is out of order (the submersible bollards, which have remained in their underground position, are inactive), as maintenance is being carried out on the system’s “server” these days ». According to Mr. Papalexis, “the maintenance will be completed soon and indeed within days”, while he asked for the understanding of the shopkeepers and the residents of Larisa who move in the center.

It should be noted that today the “Smart Pedestrian Access System” covers an area of ​​397 acres in the city of Larissa and includes 45 control points, with automated identification of vehicle license plates.

In the system’s management center, nine people work in shifts, from 10 am to 6 pm and from 6 pm to 2 am, in order to ensure its continuous operation. Let us remind you that in 2023, the Municipality of Larissa has received an honorary distinction for the implementation of the “Smart City” project and especially for the “Smart Access System to pedestrian streets”, in the context of the “Smart Cities 2023” Conference, which was held at Zappeion Megaro , on June 16 and 17. The conference was held under the auspices of Ministries, ENPE, KEDE and the Panhellenic Union of General Secretaries of Local Self-Government “Kleistheni”.

Source: Eleftheria (Lena Kissavos)