Ministry divides up road map
The government said yesterday it will launch an ambitious plan to help identify state organizations that are responsible for each part of the country’s road network in a bid to help improve the quality of road transport. Ministry, regional, prefectural and municipal authorities often point the finger at each other over who is responsible for road maintenance in their district as a means of dodging responsibilities and the cost of repair work. Public Works and Environment Minister Giorgos Souflias said that this is the first time in more than 50 years that the law on the issue is being updated. «Up until now, there has been complete confusion and inefficient management since no one knew what exactly they were responsible for. The related law that was being applied dates from 1955,» he said. The ministry’s plan involves requiring each authority to come forward in the next six months and state what they are responsible for. The Public Works and Environment Ministry has claimed responsibility for 1,000 kilometers of Greek roads, while the rest is expected to be divided up. Apart from causing drivers headaches and resulting in higher maintenance costs for cars, poor road quality is seen as being a key factor in the country’s high number of road fatalities. «My decision… will help clarify responsibilities for the maintenance of roads between the Public Works and Environment Ministry, regions and municipalities and it also narrows in on what we mean by maintenance,» the minister added. The new set of rules being put forth foresees that if a dangerous problem on a road is not attended to within a space of 10 days then a «disciplinary process» will be launched. It was not clear what this process might involve. The repair work will then be taken care of by the Public Works and Environment Ministry’s team and the bill will be sent to those who are deemed ultimately responsible.
