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Athens Clears Sidewalks of Illegal Obstructions
🇬🇷 Greece /Culture & Society

Athens Clears Sidewalks of Illegal Obstructions

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News From a news agency Context piece
  • The Municipality of Athens intensified efforts to combat the illegal occupation of public spaces, conducting systematic on-site inspections.
  • Between June 23 and July 28, municipal police removed over 240 illegal items, including chairs, tables, and display stands, that obstructed pedestrian pathways.
  • The municipality emphasizes that the free use of public space is a priority, especially for vulnerable individuals, and these interventions will continue.

The Municipality of Athens is stepping up its campaign against the illegal encroachment on public sidewalks, with municipal police conducting thorough inspections and removing obstructions. From June 23 to July 28, enforcement teams carried out 13 operations in central areas, walkways, and commercial streets across the city's first three municipal communities.

The primary goal of these actions is to ensure the free and safe passage of citizens. Eleni Zontirou, Deputy Mayor for Municipal Police and Public Spaces, stated, "The free use of public space by citizens is a constant priority. It is a matter of respect for pedestrians and especially for people with disabilities." She added that interventions to restore legality and protect citizens' right to free movement will continue with undiminished intensity across all municipal communities.

The free use of public space by citizens is a constant priority. It is a matter of respect for pedestrians and especially for people with disabilities.

— Eleni ZontirouDeputy Mayor for Municipal Police and Public Spaces, emphasizing the municipality's commitment to ensuring public spaces are accessible.

During these operations, over 240 items were removed that were impeding pedestrian and disabled access. These included 155 chairs, 55 tables, four sofas, stools, and umbrellas from food service and commercial establishments. Numerous retail display items, such as stands, mannequins, and shelves, were also cleared from public areas. The municipality aims to reclaim these spaces for public use and ensure accessibility for all residents.

The interventions of the Municipal Police to restore legality in public spaces and protect citizens' right to free movement are expected to continue with undiminished intensity in all municipal communities.

— Eleni ZontirouDeputy Mayor for Municipal Police and Public Spaces, assuring the public that enforcement efforts will persist.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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