There were two questions presented in the city council on Tuesday 30 April on the temporary architectural barriers in Piazza Diaz, set up more than two months ago. The questions were presented by the 5 Star Group and PensieroLibero.zero.
Two months ago, controversy arose precisely because of the temporary asphalt ramp, which still exists and is considered uncomfortable and impossible for people in wheelchairs to overcome. Another subject of discussion was the absence of a path for the visually impaired.
“Two months after the completion of the works in Piazza Diaz – said councilor Federico Mij of the 5 Stars – we have already seen all sorts of things. The main problem is that relating to the pedestrian crossing on the side of Via Famagosta and Via dei Mille, where a step was created with some accidents in the part between the square and the asphalt. On 26 February the municipal administration declared that as soon as the weather conditions improved they would proceed to remove the obstacles”.
The square had been hastily inaugurated on the occasion of the event at the Chiabrera theater dedicated to the singer Renata Scotto, with some works to be completed, such as those to eliminate architectural barriers.
“I find it unacceptable in itself that it is decided to inaugurate a square as long as it is not free for everyone to access – intervened councilor Fabio Orsi of PensieroLibero.zero – To follow an anniversary, a signal was given that the square was not for everyone. It is unacceptable as well as out of the norm; these surrogates for the removal of architectural barriers that have been in place for over 60 days are inadequate, dangerous and out of the norm. It has been said ‘they are temporary things’, ‘we will intervene’ as soon as they are passed; 70 days and the problem seems to have fallen by the wayside.”
For the works on the square, which had suffered considerable delays, the Municipality had approved a variant, which had become necessary due to some observations by the Superintendency. The variant was approved last January.
“The variant provided for a period of completion of all operations of 196 days, until the end of July this year – replied the councilor for public works Lionello Parodi – and obviously among the interventions to be done we tried to carry forward the arrangement finalization of the square which remains very complex due to the problems of a sewer pipe underneath. A diversified pavement is planned which we thought of further modifying by making it more recognizable by visually impaired people.
The choice could have been to keep the square closed, but temporary construction sites exist in all cities. On sunny days the square is always full and the thought of closing it until the end of the work might not have been acceptable. The police told us that there were no major accidents, just a lady who fell.”
