As Athens braces for a convoy of tractors to descend on the Greek capital today, Tuesday, February 20th, police have laid out a plan to mitigate the traffic disruptions expected to be caused by the protesting farmers.
The plan includes a series of measures and traffic regulations to ensure the protest does not hinder citizens from going about their daily business while ensuring the right of the protesters to express their grievances.
The convoy will be escorted by Greek Police patrols along specific routes both from Kastro Boeotia and from Megara, where they are expected to gather before arriving in Athens. At the same time, to avoid additional traffic congestion, buses transporting farmers will be parked at the Olympic Stadium which will result in modifications of the routes and stops of public transport vehicles (Buses – Trolleybuses).
Traffic regulations and vehicle diversions, as well as road closures, will affect the following routes:
Temporary traffic stoppage along the routes of Athens Avenue (Leoforos Athinon), Achilleos Street, and Karaiskaki Square.
The tractors will move in the upward stream of traffic (opposite lane) on Agiou Konstantinou Street, Omonia Square, and Panepistimiou Street, before arriving at Syntagma Square in front of the Greek Parliament building, while there will also be a temporary traffic stoppage in side streets and routes around Omonia Square.
There will be a traffic stoppage for vehicles on Amalias Avenue, Panepistimiou Street, Vasilissis Sofias Avenue, and all perpendicular streets to these roads.
Vasilissis Sofias Avenue will be closed from the height of the Parliament building, and traffic in the downward stream will be directed up to Sekeri Street.
Vehicles moving on Akadimias Street will be directed only towards the ascent of Vasilissis Sofias Avenue.
Last week, a delegation of farmers representing various regions in Greece failed to reach an agreement after meeting with PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the latter’s Office in Athens.
Following the impasse, Greek farmers, who before the meeting had sent the PM a list of demands, including tax-free diesel fuel, cheaper electricity, and subsidies on animal fodder, decided to escalate their mobilization by driving their tractors to the Greek capital.
