Tram wins high court go-ahead
The struggling Athens tram project cleared a significant obstacle yesterday when Greece’s highest administrative court threw out an appeal by residents of a coastal suburb against the routing of the tramlines through their area. In a decision published yesterday, the Council of State’s plenary session rejected the lawsuit by 15 Palaio Faliron residents – backed by the local council – against the planned line between Flisvos and the Edem area of Palaio Faliron. They also objected to plans for the tramlines to enter coastal Poseidonos Avenue from Achilleos Street. The court decided that the planned route would not separate Palaio Faliron from the coast, trim pavements on the coastal road or hinder traffic. And it ruled that the environment would not suffer as trees cut down for the tram works would be replaced. The residents – and the mayors – of Glyfada and Alimos also oppose the tram route, which will link the city center with the coastal suburbs. The 346-million-euro project, meant for completion in April 2004, was partially redesigned in September due to ancient finds near the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
