A meeting was convened regarding the traffic of wheeled vehicles on the islands of Hydra and Spetses following a report by protothema.gr highlighting the overwhelming presence of cars, motorbikes, and bicycles on Hydra, despite regulations that prohibit all wheeled vehicles from accessing the island.
Among the attendees were Culture Minister Lina Mendoni, Attica Region Governor Nikos Hardalias, State Minister Akis Skertosos, Secretary General of the Ministry of Civil Protection Michael Stathis, Secretary General of Shipping Evangelos Kyriazopoulos, Secretary General of the Prime Minister Stelios Koutnatzis, and the Mayors of Hydra and Spetses.
The meeting aimed to establish a stricter regulatory framework and enhanced controls for wheeled vehicles, as both islands are subject to special protection laws.
Hydra, recognized for its exceptional natural beauty and cultural significance, has stringent regulations that ban the circulation of any wheeled vehicles, including bicycles, with few exceptions provided for residents’ essential needs.
It was noted during the meeting that while the recent measures introduced by the Ministry of Culture are deemed adequate to protect the island’s character, there is a pressing need for better enforcement and policing.
Additionally, two key initiatives were agreed upon:
– The creation of a digital open register managed by the Ministry of Culture for the registration and public access of vehicles with special licenses.
– The establishment of a dedicated complaints line to the Greek Police and Coast Guard for reporting illegal traffic, aimed at improving the speed and effectiveness of enforcement.
Spetses: Moving Towards Stricter Regulations
Meanwhile, Spetses currently operates under a framework with more exemptions for vehicle registration both in the main settlement and throughout the island, which over time has expanded and altered the island’s character and the intended protective regulations.
The Mayor of Spetses has tasked the National Technical University of Athens with conducting a study on the island’s capacity to handle wheeled vehicles. Upon completion, expected by June 15, 2025, a special working group will be formed to propose measures to the government, region, and municipality, aimed at tightening traffic regulations. The objective is to maintain Spetses’ identity, limiting exceptions to cases of genuine necessity.
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