Opposition to a recently announced measure prohibiting larger trucks from using secondary roads, instead of tollway-laced highways on Greece’s national road system for most hauls, increased this week.
The Hellenic Confederation of Professionals, Craftsmen & Merchants (GSEVEE) on Thursday joined protests by truckers’ unions and chambers of commerce in criticizing the measure, with most complaints aimed at the relevant transport ministry.
Sector representatives and business groups have demanded a three-month suspension of the measure and talks with the ministry’s leadership.
A letter by GSEVEE charges that the ban on vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tons will create more problems than it hopes to solve.
The sight of heavy vehicles, including numerous long-haul tractor-trailer lorries, using secondary and provincial roads in order to bypass costly tolls on most Greek highways is now ubiquitous in several parts of the country. Caravans of trucks are often seen navigating through the narrow streets of seaside towns and hamlets in the middle of summer, creating major traffic congestion and risks to pedestrians.
On the flip side, the economic crisis has caused shipping companies and drivers to look for alternatives that will keep travel costs low.
