2024-03-21 11:53:07
The mitigation of the effects on the economic activity of the area of Tzoumerka during the improvement works of the road section Pigadia – Plaka Bridge, is one of the requests of the residents and professionals of the area, who do want the road, but in no case they cannot accept that it will remain closed for a long time.
If the road is closed, the alternative approaches are either from Ambelochori, or through the 3rd provincial road (Mihalitsi – Petrovouni), or through Rodavgi from the area of Arta, with all three options, however, cutting off Katsanochoria from the area of the Plaka Bridge, as the mileage increases on a difficult road network, with many tight turns and steep gradients. The biggest problem is expected to be faced by outdoor recreation companies, who to transport equipment and excursionists from the Politsa Bridge to the Plaka Bridge or vice versa will need approximately 1.30 hours instead of the current 40 minutes, which not only entails an increase in costs, but also a reduction in activity, since they will serve fewer excursionists.
Ensuring the traffic of vehicles in the section under construction, even with restrictions, was highlighted as a necessity in the meeting, called by the Municipality of North Tzoumerka with professionals active in outdoor leisure activities and alternative tourism.
The deputy mayor of Civil Protection Pantelis Vlachos, the deputy mayor of Tourism Georgios Pappas and the mayor’s special adviser on tourism matters Christos Tasoulas received the anxiety of the professionals, who pointed out that a traffic stop would affect their own activity to a greater extent, as it would make almost impossible to do rafting or kayaking in the most popular part of Arachthos, from Politsa Bridge to Plaka Bridge.
Although they almost all acknowledged that improving the road would further de-isolate the area, they made it very clear that under no circumstances would river activities such as rafting and rafting be stopped. kayaks, as they are one of the most important points of attraction for visitors in the area of Tzoumerki and Katsanohoria.
Concerns were also expressed about the safety of crossing the river, estimating that there will be falling stones during the works, asking for safeguards, as an accident would be disastrous for them and for the area.
The two vice-mayors and the special advisor on tourism stated that these concerns are also concerns of the municipal authority, with the mayor Nikos Vaitsis having already addressed the Region of Epirus, requesting full information on the planning of the project and the traffic regulations that will be in place . Similar information will be requested from the contractor of the project, to whom there was a commitment that the maximum possible pressure will be exerted to keep the road open, even with restrictions. Also, it will be requested to limit the work during the peak season, from July to September, although it was pointed out by the professionals that the activities on the river are throughout the year.
Also, the deputy mayor of Civil Protection Pantelis Vlachos informed that maintenance of a road in Xirovouni will be carried out, so that local traffic can be served, in case it is deemed necessary to close the road from time to time, due to the works being carried out.
However, according to information, for a period of time, possibly up to six months, the road will necessarily be closed, given how the construction of a cut and cover tunnel is planned, which leaves no room for simultaneous traffic.
Presentation of the action plan
A large part of the discussion also concerned the municipal authority’s planning for the tourism sector, with the vice-mayor Georgios Pappa noting that the aim is to develop synergies with all those active in this field. In this context, he submitted the proposal that the professionals active in outdoor recreation activities be represented in the Tourism Committee of the Municipality of North Tzoumerka.
For his part, the special advisor Christos Tasoulas, after pointing out that outdoor leisure activities are one of the main factors of tourism development in the area, presented the actions that have been planned, some of which have already begun to unfold.
He gave particular importance to the role they can play in the development of hiking tourism, reporting any problems on marked trails, which will then be checked by certified mountain guides and a report will be drawn up to the Municipality, so that the necessary actions can be taken for the restoration . Also, their help was requested in the realization of internal familiarization trips (fam trips) for the professionals of the Municipality, in order to get to know the area and its beauties better, in order to be able to inform the visitors.
The meeting, which took place at the former Municipal Store of Katsanohoria, in Kalendzi, where the Tourism Office of the Municipality of North Tzoumerka also operates, was attended by almost all the people involved in outdoor activities in the area, while a pleasant surprise was also the participation of a nutritionist and a gymnast, who is involved in wellness activities and has recently settled in the area.
Regarding the results of the meetings with tourism professionals and people involved in outdoor leisure activities and alternative tourism, the deputy mayor Georgios Pappas and the special advisor for tourism issues Christos Tasoulas informed the mayor Nikos Vaitsis in detail, also conveying the satisfaction of the professionals for the initiative of the meetings, which were held for the first time on an organized basis and with a specific agenda.